So, I'm back from my week in Rhos. I didn't take any pictures I'm afraid, it was too much faff to get the camera out. So here are the emails the school sent out buy way of daily updates (I was in Group A):
Day 1:
Just a quick email
to say we have arrived safe and sound at Rhos with no sickness and a great
journey through gorgeous Welsh scenery. The children are settling into their
rooms, making beds, unpacking and collecting their kit ahead of dinner and our
night walk. We will email at the end of each day and aim to post a picture or
two on Facebook each day depending on internet connection!
Day 2:
After a quiet(ish)
journey to Rhos, we arrived refreshed and ready to settle into the centre and
begin our chores! We made our beds, unpacked and collected our kit ready for
the night walk. After supper of fish and chips, we headed out into the local
area with our torches.
Exploring our
surroundings at night certainly heightened our senses and after a 30 minute
walk or so we arrived at the summit of the hill overlooking Bala village. There
was little moonlight, and as a result, the night sky was spectacular and a
shame that our photos of the constellations couldn’t do it justice! After a
quick evening hot chocolate, we retired to bed with lights out at 9:30.
Monday began with a
wakeup call at 7:30 and one group set up the dining hall for breakfast. After fuelling up,
making our own pack lunch and cleaning our teeth we set about our chores. These
rotate daily and include; cleaning the dining room, cleaning the minibuses,
collecting weather data, tidying common areas and emptying bins out. We then
discover which activity we will be doing as some can be weather dependent.
After this, we
gather in our 3 groups for our briefing and then pack our bags accordingly.
Here are today’s reports:
Group A: Mr Percy
We drove to the
mine, which is about 40 minutes away. Once parked we hiked up to the mine
entrance which is about 20 minutes from the car park. Once in the forest, we
soon found the locked entrance and began our journey to the centre of the
Earth. We paddled across a huge flooded cavern and then explored a maze of
tunnels before eating lunch by candlelight. Afterwards, we climbed up a
waterfall before emerging into the Welsh sunlight, some of us remembered to
return with all of our kit but Matilda managed to forget her bag (luckily, Mr
Percy spotted it). Amelie managed to get her boot stuck in an icy bog on the
way home but it didn’t dampen any of our spirits.
Group B and C: Mrs
Allison, Miss Bennett and Mr Glover
After a short
journey with great scenery, we arrived at the Porthmadog (by the sea). It
was blustery at first but we soon found some shelter on the beach with the sun
beating down. It could have been summer. There, we had lots of
challenges climbing rocks and slipping through crevasses. We learned
about the tide and the different types of seaweed and how they adapt.
Some of us were brave enough to hold a dead jelly fish that had washed up
on the beach. There was some great participation from Aliesha who
overcame her nerves. There was some excellent teamwork and support for
others, specifically from Lily Y, Lewis and Sasha. There were some sticky
situations when Tait and Sam got ‘stuck’ in the wet sand but we managed to
rescue them and their wellies!
After returning to
the centre, we had a dinner of vegetable soup, chicken korma, followed by
Bakewell tart and custard – we certainly aren’t going hungry. We are now
participating in a Lego challenge before we start our Rhos diaries in advance
of our projects.
Tomorrow
night we will be swimming so the report may be a bit later.
Nos Da from Birch
Class crew
Day 3:
This morning we had
to wake the children up after their exertions yesterday! 7:30 and they were all
fast asleep! After breakfast and a quick tidy up we made our lunches and
went for our briefings. Group A were off to the beach for
scrambling and climbing whilst Group B & C went off to the Mine.
Group A
We arrived at the
seaside (Borth-y-Gest) in wintry sunshine and headed off for the beach. As the
tide was coming in, we made our way to climb up a rock stack emerging
victorious at the top. Iyah showed great perseverance and determination to
overcome this challenge. As the tide came in and lapped around the tops of our
wellies, we headed to the famous Matrix rock to defy physics. After a
great team game of getting everyone to the top, we then played King of the
castle. After lunch on the beach, we traversed around the rocks whereupon
Luca decided to take a quick dip (waist high only)! After a quick change into
warmer clothes, we challenged ourselves to climb along a ledge as far as
we could. Special mention should go to Maddie, Ellis and Matilda who
all made it to the end point!
Group B & C –
The Mine
After a picturesque
drive, we found ourselves walking up through the beautiful forest up to
the mine at Rhiw Bach. It was a tricky walk but we all made it in
one piece. Although it was very dark, everyone was really brave. We
walked down some of adits (tunnels) and learned all about the different
types of rock and how the miners would have worked. There were many
fascinating objects that had been collected for us to look at.
Amber, Elsa and Ollie proved to be fantastic guides,
following the map and directing us through the mine. After a long
walk through the mine and a short Dingy trip across a flooded chamber, we
stopped for lunch by candle light. After some more walking up a
waterfall, there was some really supportive teamwork from
everybody. Evie managed to get through the whole mine without ducking
once (she was the only one).
Dinner tonight
is Butternut squash soup, Spaghetti Bolognaise and pudding will
be rice pudding once back from swimming! Postcards have been arriving each day
and a parcel also arrived today – exciting times. The children are loving
their experiences and coping really well with being away from home. More to
come tomorrow.
Nos Da from Birch
class
Day 3:
After a fun filled
swim last night we all slept in again until half past 7! After breakfast,
making lunch and chores we met to discover our activities. Group A were
off canoeing and gorge walking whilst the others headed off for their
mountain walks.
Group A –
Canoeing
We drove the 10
minutes to Lake Bala and descended through the fog to see the
lake shrouded in a cloud inversion! After collecting our canoes and lashing
them together, we set off for the opposite shore. As the sun came
out, we were treated to some amazing views reflected in the lake as the
fighter planes buzzed by overhead. On the other side, we scavenged for
wood to toast our marshmallows, make smores and had our lunch. After
another paddle across the lake, we skimmed stones on the shore (Harry was
our champion) and played on the tyre swing. A short drive
later and we arrived at the gorge and started upstream. Will cheered
the group along through the freezing waters as many took impromptu slips and
dips. As we reached the end of the trail, all of the children took
the option of floating back down stream. We were incredibly proud of their
support and sense of adventure today.
Group B and Group C
– Mountain walk
The view
of Moel-yr-Hydd mountain from the bottom was immense but that
was nothing compared to what we were about to experience. We were about
to climb up a steep incline that had been used by the miners and through an
epic tunnel. There was more to come. Up another few tiers of
terrain and we were able to stop for lunch. Aiden, Jack and Julia
showed amazing team spirit by helping others through the tricky
terrain. Miss Bennett stood in a puddle over her knee and after that
Lily and Jess did a great job ‘hole watching’ for her. Along
the way, Group B could hear the encouraging singing from Group C across the
other side of the mountain. Max invented a new ‘Iphone Stone’ from
the best slate and managed to get a good signal with it. At lunchtime,
both groups met up and we sat by a frozen lake. Ethan won the competition
for breaking the ice with the biggest stone. Everyone in both groups did
an amazing job of supporting each other to make it to the summit. Lewis
was the first to reach the summit and this was his goal through sheer
determination.
A fantastic day in
the Welsh countryside and sunshine, we are now about to have our roast dinner
before a quiz and continuing with our diaries.
Nos Da from Birch
class
Day 4:
We woke Jack and
his dorm with a tuneful rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ before heading down for
breakfast. Lunches made, dorms tidied, we set off for briefings. Group A
were off to the mountain (Moel-yr-Hydd) and the others for canoeing and gorge
walking. Yesterday’s fine sunshine had deserted us but we gamely ventured
forward ready to overcome anything in our way!
Group A:
After a long and
eventful hunt for missing kit that had been distributed, we
discovered that our group grab any and anybody’s in order to make the
minibus on time! As we drove to the mountain, we hoped the fog would
lift but as we arrived we realised today might not be the best for views!
Undeterred, we ventured onwards and upwards following Ethan, making
the top of the first section in under an hour. Daniel offered constant support
to others as he and Iyah maintained a steady pace towards the
summit. A brief stop for lunch, including millionaire shortbread, and
then we aimed for the top, or as Betsy corrected us, the summit! Although the
fog obscured our view, it didn’t diminish from our sense of
achievement and we were really proud of how kind and caring this group have
been to each other. The descent was rapid as we slid down sections (video
footage was obtained, though sadly not of record breaker Mr Percy) and we
emerged dirty, damp and exhilarated at the bottom of the quarry.
Group B and C
As we approached
the Bala Lake at Llyn Tegid, there was an eerie mist.
We were prepared for a wet and cold day and we weren’t going to be
disappointed. After preparing the canoes and a safety lesson, we all
headed out onto the lake, which was calm. We paddled to the weather
station and there was some excellent teamwork with Ellie supporting as a great
‘rudder’ at the rear. After a few races (Group B against Group C),
we stopped in the woodland to toast marshmallows. Jess astounded us by
striking the fire alight in one swipe of the flint steel.
After a spot of
lunch we set off for the Gorge with our waterproofs, wellies and
buoyancy aids. Evie took the first splash up to her waist and
an honourable Ollie held out his hand to help, only to slip completely into the
water. Lily, Lewis and Max showed particular courage shooting down
the waterfall and Sam, Mr Glover and Miss Bennett also did a ‘backdrop’
off a rock.
In Group B, team
leaders; Lily N, Aiden D and Sasha led by example making sure that we
were able to navigate our way across the lake safely to the other side. We
foraged for dry wood to add to our fire pit so that we could toast our marshmallows.
Lunch was taken overlooking the picturesque lake as we reflected on our
teamwork. After lunch, we paddled back across, avoiding the local legend
‘Teggy’ (Bala’s equivalent to Nessie) and headed for the gorge walk.
As we slipped and
scrambled up towards the gorge, we were proud to hear that although they
were apprehensive of the task ahead they were all prepared to give it a
go. The icy water took our breath away but Tait led us gamely
onwards. Once we had traversed and waded to our end point we all surfed back
down the water course to an icy end! A quick drive back to the centre for a hot
shower was welcome.
Dinner of sausage
and mash was followed by birthday cake and then tonight’s activity
of orienteering around the centre followed by a visit to the shop.
The children enjoyed reading your letters tonight and are excited about their
map reading activity tomorrow.
Nos da,
Birch Class
Day 5
Dear Parents and
Carers,
Our final update
from Rhos tonight before we move onto our Film (Despicable Me 3) and
our feast!
The weather has
been gloriously sunny all day although quite fresh. We had to wake them all again this
morning and after our breakfast, lunch making and chores, we gathered
in the common room for our new daily ritual…. Music and dancing!
Our activity today
for all groups was map reading and orienteering. After our briefing, we
set off for Lake Bala, opposite shore to our canoeing start point and
we parked up. Each group was staggered and the adults and instructors
walked with their group checking that their map reading skills
were sufficient to return them to the centre!
Although
directional mistakes were made, the children were wholly supportive of each
other and all took turns in leading their group to each of the 8 checkpoints
and back to the centre. They crossed streams, stiles and traversed hills
all independently and we were thoroughly impressed with them.
Once back, we
got into our harnesses and helmets ready for a quick zipwire across
the river next to the centre before returning to give back our kit and start
packing. This final part has proved quite interesting and we are excited for
them to show you the fruits of their labour!
Tomorrow we
will sadly be leaving here at about 10 am and should be back
around 3pm ish. We normally stop for lunch after 2 hours and we will then be
able to update you on the John Rankin Schools Facebook page so you are there to
meet the bus as we arrive back. We will be unable to email after we leave so
please do make sure you check there for updates.
Finally, we wanted
to say what a credit to the school, and you, the children have been
this week. They have shown all of the core values that we stand for as a school
and all the centre staff have commented on their perseverance, resilience
and support. A huge thanks to Mr Glover who has been a fantastic
asset to the team this week. He has approached each task with vigour and
enthusiasm and has really taken care of Group C. We look forward to seeing
you all tomorrow.
Nos Da for the
final time,
Birch Class
So that concludes the official updates for the week.
We had such a brilliant time I really did not want to come back. I didn't miss home at all, well, maybe I missed the catering at home a bit.
I was certainly felt like one of the more switched on members of class, I was the first one of a long stream of toilet users on the coach to work out that yes, there was actually a light in there and you didn't have to conduct your business in the dark. I also worked out where the CCTV cameras were pointing thus enabling me to work out where to carry out any of my unapproved endeavours.
Sleep was an issue though if I'm honest, we really stayed up late gossiping....it had taken it's toll by the end of the week.
As the coach pulled into the crescent on Saturday afternoon I was screamed at by my friends as Dad was out the front washing the car and Mum was upstairs waving out of my bedroom window (she'd tidied my bedroom....)
They were soon up the school to collect me and my bags and hear all what I'd been up to. I gave them a full rundown of our week, in order too......with good levels of detail. Mum and Dad were delighted, Ned cleared off back to his Xbox before I got past Tuesday.
What I really wanted though was McDonalds. Two Quarter pounders with cheese polished off, a bit of Saturday night telly and then bed.
Sunday
Still not happy to be back home, compounded further by Ned having football. Rubbish, back home with a bang.
Monday
Back to school, that seemed like an early start....still buzzing from my trip away I was quite keen to get back in actually?
