It has been a wonderful couple of days for some of the children in Year Four so far this week as Aspen and Elm have been enjoying some time away from school at Wat Tyler Country Park! On Monday the children from Aspen were the first of our three classes to venture out of school where for their first overnight trip and a great time was had by all.

During the day, the children worked in teams out in the park in order to complete a series of challenges where demonstrating the ‘Earls Hall Quality’ of being a team player was key. They had to negotiate their way across a hidden pathway, work their way around a course on a group caterpillar and save ‘Bob’ from a lava pit using just ropes and guttering. They also had to move a tennis ball along more guttering without dropping it as a whole class. Communication was key and many of the children showed developing leadership skills.

Later in the day the children developed their compass skills as they took part in an orienteering activity which saw them work their way around the entire park searching for animal tracks in some pretty muddy areas!

Having helped to prepare their own dinner, the children ate their meal before going out on a night walk where they heard all about the nature in the park. they stopped to enjoy a fireside story in one of the old cottages before enjoying a bedtime hot chocolate. It has been wonderful seeing the children enjoy themselves so much away from school and they have been a delight throughout their time on the trip.

Meanwhile, back in school, the downstairs hall played host to a ‘RockSteady’ concert this afternoon as bands of children entertained proud parents and other family members. they played the drums, electric guitar, bass guitar and keyboard in order to demonstrate the progress they have made throughout the term. Thank you to everyone who came along to show their support.