Noticeboard: Messages
Due to a website malfunction which we are trying to fix, the updates from previous days have been temporarily lost. They will return here soon No, I'm afraid they won't! Due to the malfunction all messages up until Thursday, 19th June, were lost and cannot be retrieved. Sorry!
Tuesday, 19th August, 2008
The 2008 Parental Survey is now available via the Newsletter page, which can be accessed through the Noticeboard.
Thursday 19th
On Wednesday night everyone was exhausted so went to bed early and slept well. They woke to a lovely warm day with a clear blue sky. Mrs Chambers visited for the day so has had a taste of the Othona life.
In the morning they were based at the centre where one of the most popular activities has been playing in the giant sandpit. They started the day with a minibeast hunt using magnifying glasses and then moved on to pond dipping, where they found leeches, snails and newts amongst other things.
The Art work on the beach was very creative and the children had a great time sculpturing a pirate ship and making pictures and patterns, all of which have been photographed.
Once again they had a picnic lunch and then some much needed free time. A number of them spent the hour and a half resting on their bunks and others took the opportunity to practise for the talent show.
Before tea they visited the mud flats and spent time searching for different types of shells and crabs. They all did this enthusiastically in spite of their weariness. Tea was sausages, beans and potato wedges followed by ice cream, peaches and chocolate sauce (not together I assume.)
Following the talent show, where they were all in very high spirits, Mr Middleditch was planning a star gazing walk and another game of hunt the teacher.
Fridays plan is to go to Bradwell again and complete the rotation of activities started on Tuesday, have a picnic lunch and then leave for school. They aim to be back in time for the end of the school day and have had a fantastic time.
When asked whether they would like to stay longer they answered a unanimous yes!
Friday 20th
At 06.00 all was quiet, similarly at 06.30 and 07.00. At 07.30 still no sound from any of the rooms, so we had no choice but to ring the bell and shout wakey wakey!!! Slowly the children emerged, heading for a shower or a wash. We had breakfast at 08.00, with many children opting for a freshly laid duck egg with toast. After collecting our packed lunches and cleaning our rooms - some better than others - we carried our luggage up to the waiting coach, ready for our final outing to the Bradwell Centre. The three groups - Redshanks, Lapwings and Curlews, then completed the third activity of the programme: mountain bike riding, crabbing - via a choppy sea crossing - and high wires. Everyone appeared to have a great time again, with the Redshanks proud to catch 253 crabs over a period of 70 minutes.
Following a packed lunch the children said goodbye to their instructors and boarded the coach for the final journey home. Mr Higgins gallantly led the singing during the first part of the journey. We arrived back at school on time and the children gradually dispersed, having experienced a great residential trip - something to remember for many years to come.
On a personal note, I will have fond memories of the talent show, when the children put on a splendid performance, with many surprising us with their acts! Miss O'Sullivan did a grand job as the compere. Hunt the teacher, and the reverse game, also brought many laughs in the evenings. I would particularly like to thank all the staff who came on the trip, giving their time so enthusiastically, and to Mr Higgins for organising the trip so well. In conlcusion we all thought that it was pleasure to be with the children and we were really impressed by the way they supported and co-operated with each other!
Now, for next year.....