St Peter's Catholic Primary School Romford

Swirl How got to grips with their surroundings by engaging in a very challenging orienteering course. After a session of training exercises, they negotiated the task well, in competitive groups completing over 20 objectives each. They used map-work skills learnt during this term in this activity.

Swirl Howl have set the Waterpark record for the greatest number of outfit changes and showers taken during the day because the children were scheduled two water activities. Highlights of the morning activities in the Ghyll included the children being dunked backwards into the waterfall and jumping into deep pools. The heavy rain and wind in the afternoon didn’t dampen the children’s enthusiasm for canoeing in Coniston Water. The children enjoyed the boat races retrieving rubber balls from the water.

After a very hearty breakfast, we headed off to Tilberthwaite and the children enjoyed the journey where they found out a great deal of information about Coniston Water and the world record set by Donald Campbell. During the Ghyll Scrambling, the children were set many challenges, one of which included balancing a rock on the back of their hand and scramble up the Ghyll without dropping it! As the children proceeded up the terrain, they became very supportive of one another and great teamwork was observed by our leader, Campbell. As part of Mrs Wilson’s initiation process, she had to become the welly retriever and for all her efforts ice cold water was poured over her from the welly. In the afternoon, the children experienced the indoor dizzy heights of the indoor climbing wall. The instructors set the children a variety of tasks included being blindfolded, where children had to demonstrate the trust in their other group members.

Swirl How started the day by warming up on the Low Ropes enjoying fun and games on the zip wire and obstacles together.  The children were then challenged by the indoor rock climbing as they negotiated a range of activities to build up their confidence and stamina.  They excelled at using the ropes to reach the dizzy heights of the top of the wall and were very  pleased  with  themselves in doing so!

The afternoon was spent sailing on Coniston Water.  The children quickly grasped the basics and were soon tacking across the wind managing to travel a very great distance down the lake.  Our instructor was impressed with the children’s abilities and enthusiasm, and Mrs Waterfield was quite overwhelmed by the sheer pleasure they took in seeing who could sail the fastest! They laughed and giggled their way up, down and across the lake and couldn’t resist trying to get each other wet and then finally jumped off the jetty as they  returned the boat at the end of the session- funny that!

After adorning ourselves in our many layers we headed off down to Coniston water for a morning of sailing. The first new learning skill was how to rig up the sail, attach the boom and set up the rudder correctly. Once afloat there was a westerly wind which made the manoeuvring across the water a little more challenging. With sheer determination, perseverance and superb team work, the children managed. It was great to see the sheer delight on their faces when then all safely returned to shore at their achievement. 
After lunch the children put their great orienteering & map reading skills to the test , trying to find hidden co-ordinates around the grounds . They had tremendous fun competing against one another. 
 Next on the agenda was the high ropes!! The 6 metre pole did not look that high when we were all standing at the bottom of it!!! The children gave themselves their own goals and with the fantastic support and teamwork they gave each other, they all achieved what they set out to do . Even Mrs Wilson had a go.  We ended our day with a problem-solving game which involved a golf ball and some plastic tubes . A great day was had by all. 

Swirl Howl prepared for their journey day by packing their rucksacks with essential items for their day out walking in the fells and exploring Little Langdale Quarry. Much of our kit was used to keep us warm and protect us from the rain (in fact the children loved being out in the rain and splashing in the puddles).The children enjoyed squelching through the bogs trying to keep their balance and keep their wellies on. The children were eager to explore the quarry once we arrived and were excited to have their lunch in a ‘cave’.  The children challenged themselves to walk in pitch black in the tunnels, and negotiate the rocks underfoot. After the visit to the Quarry, the children were left to make their own way back to the minibus using a map (unknown to them staff were keeping a watchful eye on them from a distance). Arriving back at Waterpark we did a final stop at the Kennels, where we had hot squash and a chocolate treat from Mrs Waterfield.

It all  started with the  children making their own sandwiches (at which they have now become semi-professionals) 
Breakfast went down a treat this morning - they loved the bacon butties - then it was off to to get kitted out for our Journey Day. We hiked up the mountain at a steady pace taking in the beautiful waterfalls and spectacular scenery . The highlight of our Journey  Day was exploring the Quarry and caves by torch light . One of the challenges the children had to encounter involved gaining the trust of one another by  placing one hand on the cave wall and with the other hand placed on the backpack of the child in front, they then had to follow each other in the pitch black and navigate their way through tunnels.
To finish our successful day, the children had great fun on the low ropes. I would like to thank my group of children  and all of year 6 for making my first experience of  Water Park such a memorable one . Mrs Wilson

During the morning, Swirl How took part in problem solving and high ropes activities, including the climbing pole. It was a great end to a wonderful week with their intructors April and Gary...thanks to both of you!

Wethelam took the Voyager canoe down Coniston Water. The water was incredibly calm. They landed and spent time tackling a rural orienteering course, before returning for their lunch. Throughout the week, they have been guided by their instructor, Campbell. Thanks, Campbell for enverything that you have done for us this week!