Day 4

Kingswood 2009 is over and I hope that we have planted some life-long memories in the girls. With everyone now home safe and sound you will have heard lots and lots of stories (don't believe everything you hear!), more tales will come out over the coming weeks.
Today started well after another good night's sleep and a cooked breakfast, dormitories were packed up and bags taken out to a holding area. Activities undertaken today were quad biking, team challenge (assault course), fencing and team tech. Once again, the "give it a go" approach that we have worked so hard on, came out and the girls certainly made the mmost of the opportunities.
After lunch was the awards ceremony where the girls were given awards for their behaviour or actions that we spotted while we were away - some very serious, some a little more light hearted. A fond farewell to our group leaders and we were on our way back to Sheffield. The rain as we came into the city centre (that you all experienced waiting for us) was the first that we had seen since leaving Sheffield on Sunday afternoon.
It is virtually impossible to sum up everything that was achieved in the last 4 days, the fears that were confronted or the learning that took place; without even holding a pen or pencil! The reason for taking the girls away is very much focussed on learning and it is certainly easier to teach these lessons away from the classroom - it is not everyday we can jump off a really tall tower or try to life in live in very close proximity with each other.
You should all be very proud of your daughters - they have been fantastic and done everything we have asked of them and much more. It is on reflection of a trip like this that decisions are made for future trips and a Year 6 residential will be planned for next year as a result of the success of this one.
Thank you all for letting us take the girls away and hopefully they will now feel confident with going further afield and for longer periods of time as they move through to their senior school education.

Day 3

All is quietening down at time of writing, the girls are all having their bedtime stories and I should think that a few of them are already asleep.
The day started well, having had a really good night's sleep, no nocturnal interruptions, and a continental style breakfast was well received.
Weather was fine, not sunny and still dry, perfect conditions for the activities that were planned. Laser zone (aka shoot the teacher), orienteering, quad bikes, fencing, climbing and team tech (giant mechano) all went down well but the thrill challenge of the day was certainly abseiling. Everyone got to the top of the tower and indeed were clipped onto the ropes - we had one or two refusals but many incredibly brave performances to lean over the edge and make their way down the wall. The hugs of relief and support that they all gave each other was what sets SHS girls apart.
A roast dinner was consumed prior to preparations for the disco/movie. Once again the girls out did everyone with their outfits (photos will follow) and their dancing. Madagascar 2 was shown for those who felt like chilling in front of a movie rather than the rowdiness of a disco, again this was well received.
Just a case now of packing bags tomorrow morning and stripping beds (it has to be easier than making a bed) before our final two activities. We will be having lunch and a short awards ceremony (the girls don't know about this yet) before departing Kingswood at about 1.30pm. We are hoping to be back outside the botanical gardens at about 4.00pm.
I will blog again tomorrow evening, just to round things off, but so far the girls have been just brilliant - I just hope I haven't spoken (or written) too soon.

Day 2

Wow, another very full day, great weather, warm but not hot but dry - that makes such a difference.
Thank you all very much for your comments - it make take some time to pass them all on tomorrow but keep them coming.
Sleep last night was in short supply for everyone, high spirits and over excitement was the main reason but a warning shot across the bows from Mr W in the morning should have done the trick ... we'll see!
"So, what have you been up to today?" I hear you say... All the girls have taken part in archery, aeroball, Go-Karts, problem solving and Circus skills but the main thrill from today was certainly the Zip Wire; everyone achieved their personal target of getting to the top of the tower and many out did their target and took the leap of faith off the tower and zipped some 40m to safety. What an achievement.
Food has been good, curry or meatballs for dinner and a lighter lunch of pasta or sandwiches or soup (or even a combination of everything) and the evening entertainment of a camp fire was a huge success, our girls teaching the instructors a few new songs - what a fantastic end to a day.
At time of writing (sorry it is a bit late) everything is VERY quiet, either they are tired out or scared of the consequences of larking - probably the former!
Another action packed day tomorrow, so looking forward to that - hope all the Mum's have had a good night out (was it tonight at Nona's?).

Day 1

Wow, we are all here safe and sound, through the torrential rain although it has brightened up enough here to carry out our first activity without getting wet at all. The girls all excelled themselves in Team challenge (assault course), archery, aeroball (mixture of trampolining and netball) and circus skills - not as easy as it looks!!
This evening, after dinner (fish and chips or lots of other choices), we ALL took part in a murder mystery, it turned out to be Miss Morgan (May Vest) who did the dirty dead and not the former IT girl turned nun (Miss Russell). A well desrved hot chocolate and piece of cake (thank you Mrs Nicholson) rounded off a good day.
The girls are currently settling themselves down and listening to a few bedtime stories looking forward to very busy, fun packed day of activities tomorrow.
Rest assured that everyone is well and being taken good care of, will "blog" again with more news tomorrow. Thanks for all your comments - we will pass them on.

Just 1 day to go

With little over 24 hours before we depart for the Kingswood trip, here are a few reminders for everyone:
DO refer to the kit lists, remembering to put in OLD clothes and waterproofs!
DO look closely at the list of banned items and remember NO SWEETS or other food.
DO make sure that you can carry your bag - I am not going to play the role of a porter!
DO have lunch before we go tomorrow - we will not be stopping on the way and your next meal will not be until about 6.00pm.
DO make sure that everyone knows THIS web address - we will be posting daily updates while we are away.
DO get a good night's sleep tonight so that you are as fresh as possible and ready to enjoy this "chance of a lifetime".

See you all tomorrow (Sunday) at 12.45pm outside the Botanical Gardens - can't wait!!