Coasteering, kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, firecraft – these were just some of the activities enjoyed and skills learnt by our Year 8 King’s Ely Prep pupils on their residential trip to Anglesey in Wales!
Eighty-four pupils and eight members of staff were involved in this year’s trip, which saw them staying at the Conway Centre, based in the grounds of the beautiful National Trust-owned, Plas Newydd House and Gardens.
Team King’s spent two action-packed days on the island, and a third day on the mainland at the Arete Outdoor Education Centre in Llanrug.
Mr Andrew Marshall, First Deputy Head at King’s Ely Prep and who led the trip, said: “It was an absolute pleasure to see pupils being challenged in ways that simply are not possible here in the Fens. Some worked their way coasteering around the cliffs, others canoed into a ferocious headwind and learnt fire making over lunch, before putting sails on their canoe paddles to carry them home. Mountain biking proved a hugely popular activity, as did kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and via ferrata. This translates as ‘Iron Path’ – a climbing route popular in alpine regions, but equally impressive in a Welsh quarry.
“The final day of activities involved a stunning lake side walk and rock climbing, in teams, all clipped to the same rope. Children realised on this that when you do not have too much time to think about things, you can achieve more than you ever realised – a useful lesson for life. And, perhaps the most impressive feat of all, the children survived absolutely fine without their mobile phones. Some even said that they had not even thought about them!”
For the dozen or so Year 8 students who were unable to attend the residential, various activities were organised in school so that they did not miss out entirely, including a Mini Olympics event and a trip to Thetford Forest for some mountain biking fun with Mrs Petherick and Ms Kippax.
The residential trip was a resounding success from start to finish. Thank you to the pupils for their fantastic behaviour and attitude towards giving every challenge a go, and thank you to staff who made the adventures and experiences happen!