Arethusa 2018
Wednesday 13th June
Well, last night was a whole lot of fun. Mrs Glass and Mrs Pullen whipped the children up into a frenzy with some strange dance moves while Mr File spun some tunes on the turntables (or tapped some tunes on the iPad!)
We also lit a lovely fire to toast some marshmallows to eat with our hot chocolate.
After all the crazy fun, it was hard to wind down and chill out ready for bed. However, most of the children were in their rooms and quite at around 11pm.
We were up by 7am to pack our bags and tidy our rooms and our shared area.
Team Games
Tuesday 12th June
Following a really busy day yesterday, I am pleased to say that ALL the children were asleep by 10pm last night. I am also pleased to say that most didn’t wake up until 7am this morning...happy days!
Orienteering and Rocket Building
Upnor Castle
Marshmallows and Disco fun
Monday 11th June 2018
Following a night of little sleep (some of the children didn’t settle until 1.30am and the first one woke up at 5.10am), we had a briefing laying down some more ground rules! We then had a room inspection and then went for a lovely breakfast of cereal, coissants and pain au chocolate with tea and juice.
We then walked deep into the woods to take part in den building activities.
Our view today
Den Building
The aim of today is to totally wear the children out so they sleep well. They are having another swimming session with team games and then free play with challenges!
An hour and a bit in the pool, followed by sausage roll and beans for lunch, should do the trick. That’s all happening before an hour and a half of archery and an hour an a half of climbing...Mr File, Mrs Glass and Mrs Pullen are worn out just thinking about it!
Swimming
Climbing
Archery
Paper Aeroplane Competition
Sunday 10th June 2018
Arethusa Take ll
Following the disappointment of the ‘Beast From The East’ forcing us to cut our visit short in February, we are back for TAKE ll!
We arrived safely and after unpacking and room inspections, we went for a lovely roast diner. We are going swimming later and then we will walk to the top field to have another go at the high ropes.
Roast
Swimming
High Ropes and Activities in the top field
Story Telling- Tales From The Book of Life
Playing the spoons
Music from the story session
Yellow Bird
Tuesday 27th February
Dear Year 5 and Year 6,
Following our return from Arethusa (Aretusa) today, I wanted to write you all a note to say how proud I am of you all. We had a wonderful couple of days away in Rochester. Firstly, you impressed me with the enthusiasm you had as we left on Monday morning- it is always hard leaving the people we love, but you were brave as you waved goodbye.
When we arrived at the centre, you unpacked and I had great pleasure in seeing your wide-eyes open as you took in the new surroundings and settled in to your rooms.
The staff at Arethusa commented on how polite and well behaved you were and this always fills me with pride.
You were all so kind to each other. It was the little things I noticed- the hand on the shoulder to offer reassurance. The smiles you gave eachother to say ‘it will be okay’ without using words. The laughs you shared even when the jokes weren’t funny...it was the little things!
During the activities you challenged yourselves. You climbed the high ropes in wellies. You walked blindfold through a snowy woodland. You were amazing!
I am so sorry that the staff at Arethusa decided that they needed to close the centre. It is always my main priority to keep you all safe and I believe we made the right decision to bring you all home. The disappointment on your faces when I told you that we had to come home broke my heart. I will do my best to make it up to you and will arrange something special before the end of term 6 in July!
Thank you for being amazing and letting me share the last couple of days with you. I think you are all great!
From Mr File
Fun in the snow
Tuesday morning
Good morning.
Everyone slept really well (except Mr File, who had no heating in his room). It was hard to get to sleep because some people were running around outside...they soon got tired and went back to their beds.
The best part of our visit so far was seeing Mrs Pullen sliding down a muddy hill and struggling to get to the top.
HAPPY TUESDAY EVERYONE!
Ned
Monday 26th February 2018
Hot Chocolate before bed...(we hope!)
Bonfire 7pm
Woodland Walk
Splash & Dash 1.45pm
Arrival 10.45am
Monday 26th February 11.30am
We have all arrived safely and have had a tour of the site, talked about health and safety, had a fire drill and been told about the week ahead. Here are the photos so far.
We have 36 very excited children!