Junior 6 enjoy week of adventure at Newlands Outdoor Centre

The Summer Term heralded a much-anticipated residential trip for Junior 6, travelling south to Keswick for three nights at Newlands Outdoor Centre.

A jam-packed schedule saw J6 boys and girls working with qualified instructors and Junior School staff as they participated in an exciting array of activities throughout the week. They relished the chance to learn new and valuable skills in the great outdoors, embracing physical and emotional challenges whilst developing their independence and collaborative skills.

Pupils first took on the 'Newlands Challenges', co-operative team building activities that tested their problem solving skills, before looking out their lifejackets for a day of canoeing on Derwentwater. Those with a fearless streak ventured across the high ropes woodlands course while a fun day of ghyll scrambling saw J6 pupils, adorned in full wet suits and with buoyancy aids, slip down naturally carved slides and leap into plunge pools.

Keen climbers took on the challenge of outdoor abseiling before taking to indoor climbing walls when the weather wasn't playing ball, while the nearby Cat Bells mountain played host to an enjoyable day of mountaineering that saw pupils scrambling up rocks and climbing to the summit, 452m above sea level.

While pupils had a wonderful time taking part in the multitude of planned activities, they were also given plenty of free time to play and enjoy a packed lunch on the green, as well as taking on the responsibility of serving their own food and clearing up after themselves during breakfast, lunch and dinner services throughout the week.

A final night disco was the perfect way to end a memorable few days for our Junior 6 pupils, their last trip before making the step up to the Senior School.

Commenting on the trip, Gillian Reid, Junior 6 Class Teacher, said:

We had a fantastic week at Newlands Outdoor Centre! This trip is a real highlight of the Junior School experience, pupils learn lots about themselves and one another as they navigate outside of their comfort zones. It is rewarding to see how each pupil tackles the week and you can see their confidence levels grow as they realise just how much they are capable of. Pupils will have made memories during this trip that will last a lifetime.”

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A gallery of images from the trip can be seen below.