Chichester school Year 6 pupils head to Wales on Westbourne Award residential adventure
Our Year 6 pupils had a wonderful Gold Westbourne Award trip to the Wye Valley, during which they went on a canoe expedition down the River Wye ending up in the market town of Monmouth. It included two nights under canvas, or for those wishing for a little more comfort, a stay in ‘The Burrow’, which is a unique building, set into the hillside.
The Westbourne Awards are a series of outdoor adventures that get progressively more challenging as the children grow older. They centre around building independence, resilience, friendships, teamwork and problem solving and are seriously good fun!
"I made new friends. Well, they were friends but I now know them lots better."
Xander
Head of Year 6, Mr Tyrrell said: “It really was a splendid adventure. On the afternoon of our arrival, we carried our canoes down to the water’s edge for the river journey from Kerne Bridge to Welsh Bicknor. The emphasis was on learning skills and becoming comfortable in the boats.
“A lively dawn chorus was our 5am alarm on Thursday morning, swiftly followed by an excited Year 6 chorus! The sun brightened the valley and there was no chance to grab an extra couple of hours shut-eye before the official get-up time of 7am.
A hearty breakfast gave us the fuel we needed for the day's paddling from Biblins to Welsh Bicknor, which included negotiating the Symonds Yat rapids (Grade 2). For many, this was one of the highlights of the trip.
Mr Tyrrell
Symonds Yat rapids were exhilarating and, despite a few nerves, our Year 6 pupils negotiated them successfully, without capsizing, although one team got temporarily stuck on the rocks prior to the rough water. It was fantastic to see the pupils’ excited faces and sense of achievement
“On a beautiful final sunny day, our now experienced and confident youngsters resumed the river journey from Biblins to Monmouth Rowing Club.
“It was a superb experience and the benefits to the children were numerous, including building their confidence and resilience, and their experience of working as a team. They were a wonderfully determined year group.
"I'd sum it up as.... Teamwork. Fun. Friendships."
Rory
Mr Tyrrell concluded: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues - Miss Barrow (our efficient nurse) and Messrs Knight, Summerhays and Gourlay - for their hard work, generosity of time, spirit, enthusiasm and kindness.”
"The Yat Rapids were such good fun."
Rosie
