Final Day

After the fantastic disco we had another good nights' sleep and everyone was fresh and ready for our last few hours at Kingswood.
Bags were all packed and loaded into the baggage holding area before breakfast with amazing efficiency and then everyone tucked into a good continental breakfast with croisant and rolls as well as ham and cheese along with the usual cereals etc.
An award ceremony was held where certificates and small momentos were awarded to every pupil - these were based upon things that the staff had picked up on during our time away, some were deadly serious e.g. overcoming fears etc. others were more humourous involving comments that had been made etc. The girls all took these in good heart and we rounded off the ceremony with a rendition of HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Miss Raine, as well as our thanks to Rich and Kisten (our Kingswood Group leaders).
The final activities were begun, either Circus skills, Lazer Zone, Aeroball or Indoor Initiatives - whatever the girls had not done so far.
The arrival of the coach was eagerly awaited ready for our 10.45am departure but a "no show" from the coach gave us time for one last giant game of rounders - it eventaully turned up at nearly 11.30am, no chance being back in Sheffield for 1.00pm! Luggage loaded and packed lunches handed out everyone boarded the coach and waved a sad farewell to Kingswood.
It has been a brillinat trip and one that will be stored in the girls' memories for many years to come. As was stated on yesterday's post, they have not stopped learning over their time away - lessons in life as well as new, specific skills. Maybe one or two girls may like to have another go at something that they tried for the first time while they were away or maybe they will just feel very proud of their achievements and decided that once is quite enough (abseiling for example)!
You, as parents, should feel very proud of yourselves too - the girls behaviour and attitude was exemplary throughout and we hope that you have been thoroughly "filled in" about everything that happened!!
Until next year.....

Delay

Unfortunately, and through no fault of our own, we have been delayed and, at time of writing (11.25am) we are still at the Kingswood Centre awaiting the arrival of our coach. We will set the telephone cascade into action once we have left Staffordshire and have a better idea of a new ETA at the Botanical Gardens.
We have pack lunches provided for us so the girls will not go hungry. They are currently quite happy enjoying a game of rounders.
We are all looking forward to seeing everyone soon.

Day 3

Another wonderful day in terms of both weather and activity. Once again we will start at the beginning; the girls did not do too badly with sleeping although a few early risers who met Mrs Dickson, wrapped in a duvet and were told it was not yet time to get up! Breakfast of sausage and egg along with the usual cereals, toast and yoghurts, then it was time for activities to begin. A mixture of high adrenelin go-karts, abseil, lazer zone and team challenge and calmer sessions such as problem solving, orienteering and circus skills. All the girls have just one activity left tomorrow morning before departure.
Dinner was just as well received with a choice of chicken burger, vegie samosas or chilli along with cake and custard.
The evening entertainment this evening was the long awaited, legendary disco - it was just SHS at the disco this year, so all inhibitions were put to one side and a fantastic time was had by everyone, lots of dancing, laughing and joking - what a wonderful day.
The girls are now putting a few things in their bags ready for the morning before lights going out within the next few minutes.
They have all had a wonderful time and I am sure that you will be filled in on all sorts of information over the weekend - don't necessarily believe everything you hear but it is true that the staff did successfully retain their title of archery champions! They may not have held a pen or pencil for the last 3 days but rest assured that they have learnt a huge amount in terms of skills and a lot about themselves. These are lessons that we cannot recreate in the classroom, which is why these trips are so valuable to them.
We intend to be back at the Botanical Gardens at about 1.00pm - if we are going to be much later than this we will set the telephone cascade into action. One final post will appear here at some point over the weekend, although no promises exactly when!

Day 2

Wow, another day at Kingswood draws to a close, where to start...last night.
One of the easiest first nights ever, the girls were brilliant, all settled really well, with just a bit of chatter, but nothing more serious and they all slept reasonably well. Breakfast, the most important meal of the day, was bacon, hoops, toast, cereals, yoghurts and fruit - all went down very well.
The action started soon after breakfast with a full day of activites with the highlights being the old favourite, high adrenelin ones of zip wire, a team challenge assault course, climbing, archery, zip wire and nightline. All the girls were encouraged to set themselves a realistic "target" for most acitivites and then challenged to beat them, as well as to work as a team to encourage each other and complete the tasks. Many instructors have commented on how they have needed to adapt the activities to make them more challenging for our girls - a huge compliment from staff who see hundreds of different children every week.
The sun has been shining on us all day and suncream has been liberally applied to all.
A full roast dinner was very welcome; choices of chicken or beef with cauliflower cheese, roast pots. yorkshire puddings, sprouts and carrots, followed by a dognut for those with any room left.
Scrapheap challenge was the evening entertainment - designing and marketing a device for transporting fragile material through space, built from scrap, protecting a water bomb - one instructor landed up getting very wet!
All the girls are now settled down for the night - some very tired bodies have been dragged into their bunks, but all happy with a mind buzzing full of new experiences.
More to follow tomorrow.

Day 1

Well, we have arrived safe and sound and all the girls have settled in well - throwing themselves, as expected, into everything.
It took a little longer than anticipated to get here due to a rather "roundabout" route selected by our driver and the big KINGSWOOD sign was welcomed with a great cheer from the girls.
A swift walk around the site and welcome meeting was followed by our packed lunches and then it was a little free time to explore before our first group activity of Mini Olympics. This included impressions of chickens laying square eggs as well as relay races while prentending to be boys! A few memorable moments all captured on film - you will see the results soon after our return.
Dormitories were allocated and moved in to and they all helped each other to make their beds and unpack bags. So far activities have included Laser Zone, Go Karts, Circus skills, Abseiling, Aeroball (a cross between netball and trampolining), Climbing, Team challenge and Archery. All the girls will eventually take part in all the activities over the three days that we are here.
Dinner was well received with chicken pie, sausages, vegetable pie, mash, vegetables, salads and apple crumble and custard.
At the time of writing we have just completed a lively camp fire with hot chocolate, biscuits and marshmallows. The girls are now heading to bed, all happy and settling themselves. Bedtime stories will take place soon before lights out at about 10.00pm. You will be filled in tomorrow about how we get on this traditionally "tricky" first night (and morning)!
Hoping to update this blog at about the same time each day.

Getting Ready

With less than 2 days to go I would hope that most of you are all packed (minus a few last minute items).
A few reminders:
Please meet at 8.30am Wednesday morning outside the Botanical Gardens OR go to the canteen at school to meet. We are aiming to leave at about 9.00am
ALL medication must be handed in to Miss Russell - named and with a signed letter detailing dosage etc.
There is no need to bring food of any description with you - you will be VERY well fed throughout the trip.
Please ensure that all your belongings are named and that nothing valuable is brought with you - you would be very upset if something happened to your favourite teddy!!

I am really looking forward to this trip and I am sure we will all have a fantastic time. Any last minute questions you had better ask them tomorrow at school or it may be too late!