Home Sweet Home

Everyone was up early today, in order to pack and clear out of our rooms before breakfast. The boys were much more efficient at this than the girls, I must say!

After breakfast, we began our final two activities of the week and boy did they save the best till last! All three groups had a chance to attempt the much anticipated 3G swing. This involved being attached to a metal bar by a harness and hoisted into the air by the rest of the group. Once at the top, you must release the swing by pulling on a rather small piece of string and then the fun begins! Most children attempted this activity and hailed it as "Best activity of the week."

Mr Lomax, Miss Reid, Mrs Buscombe and Mrs Leith also reluctantly took part and some rather amusing photographs were captured.
After both activites were over, we headed inside for our last Kingswood meal of the week. Soon afterwards, we were on the coach home and being serenaded by the children all the way to Staplehurst.

We would like to thank all the staff, who have given up their time to make this week so special. I'm sure that the children will agree that it was an absolutely fantastic week! Their behaviour has been impeccable, their enthusiasm has been infectious and their bravery has been inspiring.

What goes up .....must come down.

Sunshine and showers were the order of the day again. So after a good night's sleep, and a continental breakfast, we started our activities, armed with waterproofs and water bottles.

Creating our own computer game was great fun, and some interesting looking characters were created.
Quad biking was enjoyed by everyone, although some people thought Miss Reid drove much too slowly.

Jungle Vines, a climbing and balance activity, tested our nerves and many children improved on their bravery and pushed themselves further and higher today. Confidence has soared.

Abseiling and rock climbing were excellent and the afternoon finished with a trip to the shop and a choice of hotdogs or fish and chips in the diner.

Much excitement was created by the arrival of Mrs Leith, who lead them all off to Club Kingswood, for our disco. The outfits and hair dos, were a sight to be seen. (The children's not the adults'!)

You will all be pleased to hear, as you anxiously await the return of your brave children tomorrow, that their good behaviour and enthusiasm has been commented on by many of the instructors. We are very proud of them.

Tomorrow brings packing and reallocation of odd socks and the much awaited 3G swing. Lets hope the sun shines for our last day.

Damp but not down

A good night's sleep was had by all and some needed to be woken at 7:30.

After another cooked breakfast, the day began with problem solving. The clouds gathered and then the rain came down! RUN FOR COVER!

Fortunately the children were all kitted out and the fun continued. We worried that the high level activities would be cancelled BUT NO! Normal service was soon resumed. Mrs Hynes got her wish and had her turn, after all of her group, on the High Equilibrium balance beam.

Everyone has had a great time on the zip wire. All of the children had a go, no-one backed out and they were so keen, running from one end to the other, that they got three turns each.

The adults have just about forgiven the children, for insisting that all the teachers had to have a turn - backwards!

Flash Dance animation programs are now finished. Outdoor lazer and Aeroball were a great hit!

Carbohydrates have been consumed a plenty and thanks to today's birthday boy and his family, two big chocolate cakes have been shared.

Mrs Buscombe has made a surprise visit this evening and a Swimming Pool Party is in full swing as I type.

The wet weather has not spoiled anything as the children have decided that today was "The best day yet."

Challenging ourselves.

Everyone was up and about by 7:30 and had a chance to shower and play football before breakfast - Cereal, grapefruit, bacon, hoops, tomatoes and toast set us up for the day and luckily the rain stayed away.

Many children have really challenged themselves, reached targets and overcome fears.

Climbing a 10m pole, then balancing on a see-saw on the top, before jumping off, left most of the children smiling (if shaken). Miss Reid, Mr Lomax and Mrs Friend also braved it, somewhat reluctantly, and Mrs Hynes is DESPERATE to have her go tomorrow.

Crate stack, problem solving and Nightline have helped the children work co-operatively and communicate effectively.

ICT sessions, creating an animation of a dancing monkey, provided a much needed break from physical challenge. Dance mat sessions were good fun and everyone has now taken part in Archery. All with much smiling and good humour.

Lots of food is being consumed - fishfinger sandwiches (eat your heart out Mrs Leith), hotpot or pasta lunchtime.

Roast dinner, followed by doughnuts, tonight.

Salad and fruit are available at every meal and the children are being encouraged to have some. We can only try!

Tonight is Mini Olympics, so they have all had a very busy day.

Safe and sound

Everything is running smoothly. We arrived in good time and were thrilled to find our accommodation was ready for us. Every room, this year, has an ensuite shower room and everyone is in a room for 2 except for one room of 5 girls.

We had a tour, then our packed lunch before Games on the field.

At 2:15 activities started and everyone enjoyed Team Challenge. A great new activity at Kingswood this year, involving team work. A perfect way to start.

Circus skills followed and then different groups did different things - nightline (with blindfolds), team tech (building robots from giant mechano) and archery. Miss Reid has really entered into the spirit of things and has already climbed into a big pile of tyres with an orange helmet on and clambered over a scramble net.

Dinner was not until 6:40 and everyone was STARVING! Sausages, chicken or vegetable pie with mash and gravy was just what we needed. One boy told us "The mash was even better than my Mum's."

Everyone is at the evening activity "Trail of Mystery" - not sure what to expect, but I guess from the title that you're not supposed to!

Hot chocolate at 9:00, then back to the rooms for some sleep, OR that's the teachers plan.

We'll see.

NOT LONG NOW!

Time to pack.

Remember that you will need a packed lunch tomorrow, which we will eat after our tour of the centre, before the activities begin.

Pack carefully and remember that you need to be able to carry the bag yourself.
You need :-
lots of long sleeved tops and long trousers
trainers
swimming cosume and towel
bath towel and toiletries (including ONLY roll-on deodorant)
raincoat
water bottle
sunhat and suncream
and obviously ..................underwear.

NAME EVERYTHING.

Please do not bring any sweets, as food is not allowed in the rooms.
and ABSOLUTELY NO MOBILE PHONES or electrical gadgets.

Meet tomorrow in your normal classroom ( 5/6 L in my room) bringing in any medicines and last minute pocket money.

SEE YOU THEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whatever the weather!

Sunshine and showers today, but things look like improving next week.

Pack to cover all possibilities - raincoat, sun hat and suncream.
You never know what to expect when holidaying in Britain.

Check the forecast by clicking on this link:-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/weather/forecast/2480?area=Ashford

Whatever the weather, we'll have fun!

Welcome to Blogspot Kingswood 2011!







It is now less than 2 weeks until the next band of intrepid explorers head off to test their nerves at Kingswood in Ashford.

Mrs Friend, Miss Reid, Mrs Hynes and Mr Lomax are very excited!!!!

Let's hope we have as good a time as last year's year six had!



Check these pages the weekend before we go for any last minute reminders!