Sayers Croft Residential Adventure
Year 6 had a fantastic time at Sayers Croft earlier this month. For 3 days and 2 nights they stretched themselves to their limits, testing their resilience and courage with high energy challenges and puzzling conundrums where they had to use teamwork and perseverance to reach their objectives.
The children started with an orienteering exercise, using their mapwork skills to locate different parts of the Sayers Croft site. Next was some mindful pond-dipping – we caught water nymphs, tiny fish, water boatmen and beetles and lots more besides. Of course they were all returned to their habitats safe and sound.
Day 2 saw us complete a blindfold walk with only the directions of a partner to guide us through the obstacles. This was followed up with a trip to the maze. Next we ventured down into one of three air raid shelters at Sayers Croft to have a firsthand experience of what it would have been like to have been in one during the bombing of the Second World War. Sayers Croft itself has a fascinating story to tell – it was built to house the boys from Catford School in London who were evacuated to Ewhurst in 1940. They lived there for the duration of the war with visits from their families few and far between – once a month!
After lunch, the children’s teamwork and communication skills were tested to the limit with the challenge course where everyone has a part to play in navigating the obstacles to get the key which would finally lead them to the exit. What an incredible effort was made by all with some excellent leadership skills emerging from many of our brilliant pupils. Next was the long-awaited and highly anticipated stream walk. Unfortunately during the winter months, some of the trees had slipped down the banks into the water raising the water level that little bit higher! This didn’t stop our intrepid children who made a splendid effort in wading through the chilly water to emerge victorious at the end!
Friday morning found us on the zipwire, pushing everyone to their limits again but once they had one flight under their belts, they couldn’t wait to give it another go! Our final activity was drumming, following rhythms and leading each other in unison. A perfect way to regulate and be ready for the return to school.
We always see a change in our Year 6 children when we go on our school journey but this year was even more humbling. So many of them displayed levels of independence, determination and courage that they may previously not have had the opportunity to share and we cannot express how immensely proud we are of them all. The whole team want to say a HUGE thank you to all the children for being such good sports and brilliant fun to be with. We know that these skills and qualities will continue to develop and grow with them as they move on to their next setting.
Adrienne, Becca, Ceri, Willow and Chloe
Taken from our May newsletter.
