In the heart of the New Forest National Park, Year 4 experienced three jam-packed days full of adventure on their Blue Westbourne Award. Year 3 joined them for a day to share in the experience and fun.
Year 4 set off on their Westbourne Award full of excitement for the adventures that lay ahead at Avon Tyrell. Westbourne Awards are an exciting combination of fun, adventure and challenge, encouraging personal development and new skills.
They arrived in the New Forest and discovered a wonderful setting full of outdoor play spaces, woods and fields. Over the next three days, with the sun shining, the children received a fabulous immersion in a creative learning environment with a series of high-quality sessions including tree climbing, zip wires, archery, high ropes, mountain biking, night walks, bushcraft skills and orienteering. They also loved the campfire evening with songs and marshmallows to roast.
There were so many great moments as the children learnt some key life skills, developed their characters and created some lovely memories that will last a lifetime.
On his second day, Dylan said: “These are the best two days of my life.”
Miss Tilling said: "The setting was just fantastic and the leaders were brilliant with the children; they were calm, enthusiastic, funny and explained everything so well. They clearly had lots of expertise with this age group.
The children learnt lots and pushed themselves in the challenges. At times, they had to go up high and it was a little bit scary, but they managed brilliantly. All the children took part in all of the activities.
Year 3 arrived at Avon Tyrell for the middle day of the excursion for the Westbourne Award Introduction. They took part in two adventure activities: the high ropes and mountain biking. They also had a delicious hot lunch and were given free time to enjoy the open spaces, which were amazing.
Miss Tilling added: “Sharing the middle day altogether as the complete Junior Department was fantastic. It was good to share the experience, do something fun, practise our teamwork skills and build confidence as a group. For Year 3 this was also a great way to prepare for their Westbourne Award next year - I expect they will be looking forward to their turn to have two nights away from home.”
Mr Stewart commented: “I’m sure this trip will be the highlight of the year for many of our children and a big thanks to Miss Tilling for all her tireless preparations for this awesome trip.”
