Zip! Zip! Zip! Enjoying our trip......

Good evening all, 

WOW! 

What a fantastic send off this morning (I can't believe that was only this morning)!

I must say this every year, but what an amazing group of year 6 children we have with us on residential! After a fantastic journey to North Wales the children just had enough time to stretch their legs before our group leaders Emily (River), Cooper (Lake) and Liz (Rapids) whisked the children off to complete their first task, making their beds. I can report that the children were all successful at putting on their own bottom sheets, stuffing their pillow in a pillowcase and putting on a duvet cover. No excuses now when they get home!

After that, lunch awaited the children, on the menu was Pizza! The children also had the chance to order their meals for the rest of the week, pasta, curry, sandwiches, jacket potatoes and lots more, plus the added bonus of choc ices. 

Before we knew it, it was time to head off for their first activities Knights Quest, Zip-wire and the Crate Challenge. The amount of fantastic teamwork skills on show across the three activities had our group leaders talking about what a magnificent group of children they were working with. The children were complemented for their perseverance, resilience, communication and listening skills. Some faced their fears as they tackled the highflying Zip-Wire. I can report that Mr Cook flew down the Zip-Wire setting a new Robinwood record.  

No time to rest, quick toilet and drinks stop and then onto Zip-Wire (River), Raft Building (Lake) and Quest (Rapids). More fantastic skills on show from the children and adults. The children in Lake Group were first to put their craftsmen ship to the test as they had to build a craft worthy enough to cross the Robinwood lake. I am pleased to report the rafts were successful to the disappointment of their group leader Cooper (and some of the children) that no one got wet so they were then tasked to show their best swan dive off the jetty into the lake. 

Raft Building (River), Archery (Lake) and Climbing (Rapids). A great attitude from all the children who after an early start were giving everything 100% and still had smiles on their faces! With the sun out it made for a pleasant paddle on the lake for River group that is until they went to test their rafts and safe to say all the children in River group ended up a little wet after their unsuccessful voyages.

Our 4^thactivities included Archery (River), Giant Swing (Lake) and  Zip Wire (Rapids). Lake group successfully completed the giant swing and Rapids zipped down the Zip-Wire whilst Rivers took aim for gold in the archery range. Towards the end of these activities bellies were starting to rumble.

After 4 action packed activities the children (and adults) were ready for some tea. Great table manners impressed the Robinwood staff as the children tucked into some pasta or jacket potatoes followed by more pasta for some of the children and even more pasta for some of the children who wanted seconds and thirds followed by scrumptious choc ices. 

Re-fuelled it was onto our final activity Team Challenge.  Completing different activities for points the children excelled themselves, had fun and laughed as the teachers tried their hardest to embarrass them selves. 

As the activity came to a finish it was time for hot chocolate and biscuits. The rules for night-time followed and the need for a good night sleep was top of the list! 

Bed time! The children are now fast asleep as I type and can't imagine we will see any of the children until they wake up or are awoken up by the night ninjas at 7am.

We are incredibly proud of the children's perseverance, courage and teamwork today and can't wait for tomorrow's activities.

Thank you for all your wonderful messages which I will share with the children over breakfast tomorrow morning. If you know of anyone still unaware of the blog please share and pass on the details.

I will share more with you tomorrow. An action packed day awaits. 

Goodnight 

Mr E, Mr Cook and Mrs Shaw x