Junction 5, M25

We're just approaching junction 5 of the M25, nearly back!

Please leave the zigzags outside the school clear for the coach

On the road again

We've just left the services and are back on our way. If (and that's a big if) the M25 doesn't get any worse, we'd hope to be back by 5:45.

Reading services

We're having a comfort and snacks break at Reading services - but I'm sure some of you knew that already!!

A message from Miss Gayson

We have been blessed with three beautifully sunny days in Wales. The children have enjoyed caving, climbing, abseiling, archery, vertical challenge and a lovely hill walk here in picturesque Trelewis.

At the start of the journey, the children were tasked with games that would test their listening and teamwork skills. They found this tricky at first but after taking part in all of the activities here at Rock UK, I am pleased to see that they have improved significantly in both these areas!! 

When in the caves, the children encouraged each other through. Each of them taking on a role to help them get through each mapped out area. When climbing, the children were holding each other’s ropes and cheering each other on. If someone was unsure or nervous the children would help them out and show kindness towards them, which has been lovely to see! During the hill walk, each child was given a job whether it was using the map, holding the supply bags or litter picking. They had to work together to make sure they all made it up the hill and to find their way down. All these tasks have improved their independence, resilience and teamwork skills and of course they have also all had lots of fun! 

I would like to thank Miss Childs, Miss Laughland and Mr Beevers for all their help and support in making this trip enjoyable and successful for the children. 

We are all looking forward to seeing you all soon!!

Prince of Wales Bridge

We are just approaching the bridge which takes us back into England

M4

We've come down the valley and are just about to join the M4

#gettingthere

Some pictures from Miss Laughland

 Miss Laughland has checked the dusty corners on her phone and found some pictures that are lovely so I’ll share them with you.

The cave suits are functional rather than a fashion statement!!

We’re off

 And we’re off, the tracker is on and we’re Looking forward to seeing everyone again !!

That's about it!!

 Final activities almost done, it'll soon be time to eat some lunch before getting our belongings on the coach and setting off.

We'll put the tracker on before we leave so you can follow our progress, but we'll also let you know any major events here, too.

Vertical challenge - Miss Gayson's group

Finally, a video showing the final part of the ascent

Caving - Miss Laughland's group

Climbing - Miss Childs group

The walls here are huge - and this isn't the tallest wall in the centre!!

But what goes up, must come down eventually

Climbing - Miss Gaysons group

Archery

No prizes for guessing whose group this is !!

Vertical challenge - Miss Childs group

This activity entails climbing a variety of obstacles - a cargo net, tyres then the final ladder

Good morning

 Good morning to you all. It's still a little cloudy outside, but the forecast so for no rain so that's good. Shortly, we will be waking the children ready for breakfast. After that, we must vacate our rooms, and stack suitcases in the conference room ready for when the coach arrives to take us back.

Packing time

We're now at the end of our last full day here, so it's time to pack our cases. Tomorrow morning we must vacate our rooms after breakfast so that they can be cleaned ready for the next visitors.

Tomorrow's activities are:

Miss Gayson's group: Climbing then Abseil and Vertical Challenge

Miss Childs' group: Vertical Challenge and then Climbing

Miss Laughland's group: Caving and Archery

We will then have our packed lunches before we depart - we hope to be away by 12:30 but we will let you know when we depart (and, of course, the tracker will go on too so you can follow our progress home).

Good night, sleep well!

Games

Dinner over with (Sausages with mash and beans followed by ice cream since you ask), there's time for some games before bed after a long day.

Who is it needs a lot of concentration:

Jenga, patience and a steady hand:

And twister - well, that needs flexibility and deep thought too, it seems:

But some of us are just having some fun:

Miss Laughland's group bouldering

 Sometimes, before they climb proper with harnesses etc., the children have a go on the bouldering wall. This is nowhere near as high as the main wall (6' off the floor at most), and has crash mats all round it just in case someone loses grip. It's good training for climbing proper:

 

Miss Laughland's group hillwalking

Miss Laughland has just passed me some pictures of her group on the hill walk, which I will share with you now:

A lovely sunny day for a walk in the hills, for sure!