1, 2, 3.....Set the Dragon Free

Good evening all,

WOW! WOW!! WOW!!!

What a fantastic day. Just when you think our children could not be any more AMAZING they go and prove me wrong! If I had a pound for every time a member of Robinwood staff said what a fantastic group of children we have I would be a millionaire (well nearly!). Genuinely, the amount of compliments I have received for the children’s manners and respect they have shown to each other and Robinwood staff have made me smile from ear to ear all day!

The day started off with a glowing report from the famous Robinwood Night Ninjas. No problems to report so onto our first activity. Breakfast! With beans, sausages, cereal, toast, fruit and potato waffles ( a new favourite breakfast) on offer the children certainly were fuelled (it did take 3 helpings for some) for the action packed day that awaited them.

Each group had 2 activities to complete before lunch. River had Caving and Giant Swing, Lake had Knights Quest and Climbing and Rapids group had Dungeons and Night Line. Each activity required certain skills that pushed and challenged children to achieve their set goals. Reports from Mrs Shaw and Mr Cook are that the children surpassed expectations in each of their activities. Teamwork skills were strongly evident as children flew through activities and pushed onto more challenging games. I was particularly impressed with the compassion and encouragement shown between the children in River group when completing their morning activities. A huge shout out goes to all the children who have conquered their personal challenges/ fears be it height or the dark. We talk about been compassionate, kind, caring and supportive a lot in school and to see these amazing skills so evidently in our children when some of them were suspended high up in the air on the climbing wall or crawling on their hands and knees in the cave, it reminds me of what a special school we are part of and what a fantastic group of children our Year 6’s are.

Lunch time! A chance to regroup and reenergise. Tuck shop awaited next and the children were allowed a treat for now and one for later. Pencils, pens and mugs to help the children remember and treasure the memories that have been created over the past 2 days.

After lunch another 3 activities for the children to sink their teeth into! River had High Ropes, Climbing and Canoeing! Lakes had Caving, Canoeing and Dungeon. Rapids group had Trapeze, High Ropes and Canoeing. Respect, listening, encouragement, problem solving, teamwork and communication were all skills that Emily, Cooper and Liz (Our SUPERSTAR instructors) said our children had showed in abundance. Emily, our course leader, has not stopped raving about our fabulous children and doesn't just tell us, the whole centre are aware of our FANTASTIC children!

Teatime! Fish fingers, curry and ice cream were on the menu for the children. Just what the children need after an action packed day. But wait…it’s not over, there were two more activities for the children to complete.

The much-awaited Piranha Pool awaited Lakes and Rapids, River group would have to wait until tomorrow. The Piranha Pool was approached with excitement and some nerves. Had Mr Elliot been lying? Were there any piranhas? Is the water hot or cold? Do the Piranhas have teeth?
Well not to spoil it for any younger siblings, the children all survived, however, Lakes only just got out with seconds to spare before they were the piranhas supper!

Trapeze and Dungeon were the final sessions of the day for River group. Lake had the Piranha Pool and Trapeze. Lakes had Caving and Piranha Pool. Even though these were our final activities the children still showed as much enthusiasm and positivity as they had done for the very first activity which was just over 12 hours ago. We could not be any prouder of the children!

Hot chocolate, biscuits and bedtime followed. Tired eyes were plentiful in the room as the eagerly waited phrase 'bedtime' was met with joy as over 12 hours of undeliverable fun had taken its toll on some of the children (and adults!).

On a personal note, I wanted to take the opportunity to say a big THANK YOU! Some think the adults who go on residential are crazy! But your children have been truly amazing. Mr Cook, Mrs Shaw and I are so proud of all the children's achievements. They have also been a delight to sit and have breakfast, lunch and dinner with and never once complained. The manners and politeness have been OUTSTANDING!

Anyway, enough of that, we still have another busy morning ahead. Breakfast, 3 more activities and lunch before we start our journey back to Collingham.

Well it's past our bedtime and after 2 days away we need our beauty sleep. Again, thank you for your lovely comments. They all say a big hello and are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow quickly followed by “can we stay a bit longer?’ These are priceless to the children and we love to see the smiles, which go from ear to ear as the children read them. I will try to upload some photos but it is proving at times too much for the WiFi.

See you tomorrow,

Mr E, Mrs Shaw and Mr Cook.