School Journey 2010
The residential trip is an important opportunity for children to learn new skills and discover talents that they may already have but haven't used yet. For many children, school journey is their first trip away from home. It offers them the opportunity to be independent in a safe way, with friends and teachers they know well. By running the trip over a weekend, we are able to offer it at a hugely reduced rate. Typically schools charge £250-300 for a residential trip. The reduced cost is because staff freely offer their weekend and we are able to take advantage of off-peak weekend prices. The trip is also subsidised by funds raised by PTA events run throughout the year. Our aim is to reduce the cost so that EVERY child will have the opportunity to take part. Read more about the School Journey.
Read a couple of the children's Diary extracts from this year's trip......
Dear Diary,
Before we arrived at PGL, we went to the stone circle. We also went to two museums. In one of the museums, I saw a real bat! On a big hill, everybody saw a huge leaf storm. The people with cameras took a photo of it.
The school journey this year was absolutely amazing! My favourite activity has to be the zip wire because when you jump off the tower you go really fast. The worst activity was the tunnel trail because it was wet and muddy.
The food was also good, especially the green apples. I had 3 room mates. They were Sean, Jake and Alamin. They were fun because at bed time we told scary stories.
At PGL, we all met a man called Arran. He was fun! In the night we played a game called AMBUSH. It was the best game ever. We were out in the dark scary woods at night, with just a few torches between us. Miss Ellingham and Ibrahim were the winners because nobody found them.
I really want to go again next year!
From Nadim
Dear Diary,
Today, I went abseiling. It was so cool! I got to the top and went down twice! Miss Ellingham said, “Well done, you reached your target!” to everyone because we all got over the bar. The most scary thing we had to do in abseiling was when you had to let go with your right hand…but your left hand was easy!
Then we all went to the woods to play ‘Survivor’. It is when you need to find things scattered on the forest floor and try to make a den / tent with room for: water supply, two people, food, camouflage and protection from predators. ‘JB’, the man that was doing the activity with us said, “your tent is good at collecting water and that you should have a bit more time so that you can find a better way to cover the space better.”
The best part about PGL was…the disco! There was dancing, music, games and so much more!
I am sooo lucky because I get to go again next year!
From Trinity
And a few more quotes......
"I had a fear of heights, but as I went down, my fear just went. You're hands were numb as you were going up the climbing walls, it was scary, but then you felt fantastic because you were achieving something." - Taya Yr 6
"I liked the climbing because I didn't think I could do it, but then I did it. Niaz was standing on my knees, but we worked together and achieved 7 levels off the ground." - Kyrah Yr 6
"The rooms were really nice. I enjoyed the bunk beds. The zip wire was easy to do. It was hard, but was great fun to be in the air and flying." - Harry Yr 5
"I liked abseiling because I was really good at it. At first I was really scared, but then I did it. I met my target and felt really proud of myself. And the food was great too!" - Jay Yr 6
"We made excellent friendships. We learnt about each other and things we didn't know before. It was awesome! You should go because it is the best school trip you will ever go on." (All of school journeyers said!)
And the final word goes to Miss Ellingham ...
"My summary of school journey... An excellent adventure! The trip was jam packed with scary, fun, adventurous, dirty and funny things to do. The children challenged their boundaries and learnt things about themselves that will lead them to become independent and confident learners. Friendships were built between the children and the staff that went. This school journey was an experience that the children will never forget."