PGL 2019 Day 4

All children took part in Tunnel Trail at different points during the day within their individual groups. During this activity the children got to explore various sizes of tubes and tunnels and use these to work together to help teammates through the tunnels from the outside using only instructions to direct them. They played various games inside the tunnel such as infected and code finding challenges.  

Group 1 and 2 took part in Aeroball, Giant Swing and Survivor challenge where the children got to test their survival skills building a shelter, carving tent pegs and making fire with flint and steel. 

Whilst group 3 and 4 built buggies, abseiled and completed the challenge course, they all worked really well as a team to complete the course together without losing their lives.

After reading letters from home and visiting the shop to spend the last of their pocket money the children took part in wacky races. They got to be zombies, lay eggs and make a longest line they could for their team to beat the others. Great teamwork was demonstrated by all. 

‘My favourite activity was the giant swing, it was scary pulling the rope, but I throughly enjoyed the feeling’ - Bertie 

‘The best thing about PGL is no technology’ - Faith

‘I really enjoyed abseiling because I didn’t think I could do it at first, it was scary going over the top, but it felt great on the way down’ - Anna 

‘I enjoyed the games we played in the tunnels, especially the object finding challenge’ - Charlie 

‘The evening activities were really good’ - Rivve

‘We are so busy at PGL, there is so many activities to do’ - Elsa 

‘I liked carving wood and being able to use knives and make fire’ - Lauren 

‘I enjoyed being able to spend my money in the shop, I got some yummy sweets’ - Josh

Finally we would like to say Thank you to our PGL leader Jason who has been amazing with the children, taking them to all their activities, meals and keeping the children entertained during breaks.  

Year 5s had a lovely day at Westmill yesterday doing some taster sessions ready for PGL next year.  The sun shone all day and they all faced their fears and pushed a bit further than felt comfortable.  Everyone had a go and we were really proud of their enthusiasm and courage as well as their brilliant behaviour.  They represented Christ Church School fantastically.

Here are a selection of photos so you can see what they got up to:

PGL 2019 Day 3

Following another filling breakfast, the children set out for their activities for the day. All children took part in raft building at some point during the day. They needed to think together to find the best arrangement of the barrels, then tie the barrels together using the knots that they had been shown. They then tested their rafts on the lake, with varying degrees of success!

Groups 1 and 2 took part in abseiling, buggy building and a challenge course. Meanwhile, group 3 and 4 took part in learning survival skills, the giant swing and Aeroball. 

 

In the evening, the children tested their investigation skills in solving the mystery of who kidnapped one of the PGL characters. They needed to  be creative in thinking of answers to riddles and completing tasks to gain extra information. The children enjoyed the tasks and liked having an end goal to strive towards.

At the end of an action packed third day, the children are now settled in their rooms, exhausted but excited for the challenges ahead tomorrow.

“Even though I didn’t complete absailing, I’m proud I stood on the edge.” - Phoebe.

“I’m glad I got into the lake, when at first I didn’t want to.” - Charlie.

“I enjoyed building the shelter and people liked my ideas.” - Blake.

“I loved the big swing, I thought I would be scared but I did it anyway.” - Chloe G. 

PGL 2019 Day 2

Day two began with a hearty breakfast and some time to relax before heading out for our activities for the day. Before lunch, each group participated in either fencing, archery, rock wall climbing or using the zip wire. They each took part in these activities throughout the day. The children really enjoyed learning a new sport in fencing, while others liked facing their fears and climbing as high as they felt comfortable on the rock wall. Each child pushed themselves to participate in each activity and all had a great time.

Lunch included a tasty selection of foods that provided each child with something that they would like to eat. The children ate well and were responsible with returning their trays and tidying up their eating space. 

After lunch, the children had some time to socialise in their rooms before setting out to spend their money in the shop. They decided on a variety of items including bouncy balls, mugs and sweets (of course). The groups participated in the remaining activities for the rest of the afternoon before coming back to base to get ready for dinner. 

The evening featured sitting around a campfire while being entertained by the PGL instructors with songs, dances and short stories.

The children were all very eager to get back and into bed to prepare themselves for another day of fun tomorrow! 

“I enjoyed the zip wire because the lady was kind.” - Isabella.

“I liked the food, there was lots of options that you can choose from when you’re there.” - Berrie.

“I like fencing and I think I would like to do it after PGL.” - Valentino.

“I was nervous to do the zip wire but once I did it, I wanted to do it more.” - Cory.

PGL 2019 Day 1

After a busy first day, the children (and adults) are all very tired! We arrived safely just in time for lunch where we basked in the sunshine and devoured our food. The children enjoyed playing games in the afternoon, before we were introduced to our instructor and given a tour of the exciting activities that we will be participating in over the week. 

We were all impressed with the views around the site and the architecture of the Manor House. 

Having settled into their rooms, the children ate dinner and had a late evening game of capture the flag where they needed to work in teams to steal the other team’s flag while protecting their own. They enjoyed competing with each other and sharing victory and loss as a team.

They are now relaxing in their rooms ahead of another busy day tomorrow!

“I liked having free time to play games after lunch.” - Harrison.

“The staff are really nice and it looks like so much fun!” - Maisie.

“I’m looking forward to building rafts and testing them on the water.” - Ollie.

“I’m excited to do the zip wire” - Tilly.

“The sunset was amazing.” - Megan.

Author visit - Vashti Hardy

Today, we were very excited to have the author Vashti Hardy come to our school. All children, from Year 1-6, attended her author talk, where she told us what had inspired her to write, introduced us to facts about some real life explorers and showed us a video clip of  Bear Grylls escaping from quicksand.

In her book "Brightstorm", two of the main characters are twins. You can see them in the corner of the front cover. Murphy class and Vashti, thought our twins looked very similar to her characters.

Throughout the rest of the day, the children in Years 5 and 6, undertook workshops, made their own maps to inspire their writing and even got to dress up.

It was a great day and we ended it with many children coming into the library to get their copies of the books signed and meet Vashti in person. She welcomed then to the crew and encouraged them to seek out adventure through reading.

She has a new book coming out later this year and Brightstorm is in our school library.

The children settled well last night and, although it was cold, managed to get some sleep.  This morning is another sunny day but with some breeze to help keep us cooler.

We have done lots of fun activities already this morning and the children are now relaxing at the campsite waiting for their lunch - jacket potatoes or pasta.  Here are some photos of group 2 from this morning. 

We arrived in good time to glorious weather and, after settling in and having some lunch, started our activities this afternoon.  Here are some photos of two of the groups from this afternoon.  They are having a whale of a time!  More tomorrow (WIFI permitting).

Year 6 - PGL

Everyone has arrived safe and well and enjoyed the first afternoon. Mrs Whitmore reports WiFi is limited at the campsite and she will update later tonight/tomorrow, once she is off the campsite and in a WiFi area.

Drumming at Kingswood

More photos from Kingswood

Last day at Kingswood

We’re about to start our last day at Kingswood.  This week has been amazing in terms of the skills they have acquired:

They have become more independent, not relying on adults for everything.  A vital skill for next September!

They have become closer as a year group; they’ve worked together and have learned to support each other in times of difficulty.

They have taken risks and have all reached personal goals.  Some children have even conquered fears.

They have all taken part in activities they have never participated in before.

We are all very proud of them!

Mrs Adams, Mrs Whitmore, Mrs D’Arcy, Mrs Knott

...a bit more of today