During the week of 8th - 12th June 2009, 6CP and 6AW visited Malvern Hills Outdoor Education Centre for two and a half days each. The centre offers the children the opportunity to be challenged physically, mentally and spiritually.
The children arrived and were immediately expected to take responsibility for themselves and to work as a team; the beds in their dorms had to be made up and ready for inspection. After a short introduction to the centre, a programme of activities began. These were:
- High Ropes
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Orienteering
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Kayaking
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Hillwalking
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Quarrying
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The Quadpole
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Rock Climbing
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Zipwire.
Throughout the week, the children achieved lots of successes and every child attempted every challenge with determination and enthusiasm. Many overcame their fears on the high ropes, zipwire and the awesome quadpole.
As if climbing a wobbly wooden pole wasn't bad enough, having the courage to stand on a platform the size of a dinner plate with three other people and no room to breathe is a challenge for the bravest. Just ask Miss Penfold!
The children's behaviour was excellent throughout, keeping the dorms tidy and showing respect for the facilities and staff at the centre. The Malvern staff were very impressed with both groups and clearly enjoyed working with such attentive children.
Overall, this was a highly successful visit and everyone arrived home feeling exhausted, but on a high after a challenging couple of days.
23 members of Year 6 have been trained to be Play Leaders. They have a very special job in the playgrounds; they have been teaching younger children new games. So far, it has been a great success. The children have enjoyed playing games such as Honey Pot, Sunday Run and Stuck in the Mud. They use different sorts of equipment in the playground and you can spot them by looking out for their Play Leader hats.
Play Leaders are responsible, kind, helpful and very good listeners. Keep up the good work!
On 30th April, Year 6 visited Tamworth Castle as part of their History topic; Britain Since 1930.They took part in two workshops: role play as an evacuee and artefact handling. They were also able to explore the castle itself and to find out about local history in Tamworth. Children were particularly fascinated with the haunting of the castle by the Black Lady!
Life as an evacuee:
Children took on the role of evacuees and met Billeting Officer Miss Johnson, who put them through their paces. Activities included using a stirrup pump, building a shelter, deciding what to take into the Anderson shelter, operating the air raid siren and completing their own identity cards which they must have with them at all times. Children also took part in a drill; some found it easier than others!
Artefact handling:
Children enjoyed investigating many different artefacts in order to decide who they belonged to. Working in groups, they discovered that they were the belongings of a housewife, a Captain in the Army, a young girl who had been evacuated during the War, a Land Army girl and an Aid Raid Protection Warden.
Children thoroughly enjoyed the day and returned to school with many interesting facts.
