17th June 2022
This week Year 6 set off for their 3-day residential at Abernant Lake Hotel...and what an adventure we had!
We started with a visit to the Small Breed Farm Park and Owl Centre in Hereford. This was to be the start of a long list of 'firsts' for many of our children (and accompanying adults!) While we strolled through the site admiring the small breed animals and birds, we also enjoyed feeding the goats and sheep.
The highlight however was our wander around The Owl Garden. This thoughtfully designed setting allowed us a rare opportunity to observe all the British Owls, as well as over 30 other spectacular species from around the world. Imagine our delight as we found 3 rather large owlets sitting on a branch just like Sarah, Percy and Bill in the book Owl Babies!
It was here we met and petted Dibble. Hand reared by Michael, we learnt so much about owls, including the additional fact that Dibble enjoys watching tennis! We also had the delightful experience of meeting and petting an owl chick. After such a super time, we rather reluctantly left Dibble and his friends and boarded the bus.
As we approached Abernant, the excitement on the bus was palpable with children keen to spot the lake and hotel. The entire visit did not disappoint. We had a packed agenda with a wide variety of activities running between 9am and 8.30pm each day. This range of activities not only meant that all children experienced things for the first time and overcame personal fears, but also that they all found new strengths and new activities they excelled in. For each task there were some children who were experts already, those for whom it was a completely new experience and some who feared the whole idea. It was an absolute pleasure to watch all the children ‘have a go’, persevere, grow in confidence, tackle their fears head on and succeed! As adults, our hearts were singing and there were a few tears of joy in our eyes throughout the visit.
So, what did we face?
The Blind Trail caused a little tension to begin with…wearing blind folds, the children worked on team and leadership skills to navigate their way around obstacle courses. The tension? Well, the field was covered in sheep’s’ poo...an early reminder of the need for old footwear! However, the children soon forgot about this, as they blindly followed instructions and hand claps and pulled together to conquer the course.
The orienteering saw the children finding letters placed around the site, first finding individual letters, then spelling out words to solve puzzles and riddles. On a warm, sunny afternoon and evening this was also a very pleasant activity to ground the children into their new surroundings.
We started and ended Tuesday with the wall, first abseiling down, then climbing back up!
Abseiling – now this was not for the faint hearted! Just going up the stairs and turning around on the edge was scary for some (or was that just Mrs C?!) This was the first event that really showed what a wonderful team the children of Year 6 are. Shouting words of encouragement and whooping with joy each time their class mate attempted the feat. And when the instructors asked if the adults wanted to try, the children were delighted when Mrs Wilcock and Mrs Clewley took to the stairs!
Climbing was another event when the children made our hearts sing with their support of each other. This was the last activity for Tuesday. Full of food and tired from the previous 4 activities, the wall looked higher than it had in the morning! The children were amazing! Experienced and novices alike demonstrated their fabulous perseverance. With each success, children were inspired, wanting to do better and climb higher.
Archery was a real antidote to the high-octane activities! With careful instruction, children first learnt the basic skills, then practised them through a range of challenges aimed (pun intended!) at improving accuracy. We all felt a little more ‘Robin Hood’ after this event!
Over the course of the 3 days, there was a significant amount of messing about on the lake…and it was truly wonderful!
Raft building, Stand Up Paddle Boarding, Kayaking and Canoeing all needed a slightly different set of skills and we were up for the challenge! Some of us spent more time in the water than others – and thoroughly enjoyed it! Where some were more successful, and dry, the children swiftly decided to scupper their efforts and ensure they got a soaking (including poor Miss Eddy!). Although we believe Mrs Quainton Stubbs remained dry throughout the paddle boarding session…next time!
Throughout the visit the instructors commented on the wonderful behaviour of our children who listened carefully and respectfully and had a go, who behaved safely and were ready for every event and who were polite at every opportunity. As adults, we watched the children support and nurture each other, not only during the day but also in the evenings when bedtime reminded us how far we were from home.
We saw our ethos in action for the entire trip with our children striving, being happy, inspiring, nurturing and excelling in all that they did. You were shining brightly Year 6, we couldn’t be more proud!
