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Fun and fieldwork on Year 6 residential

Tuesday 28 November 2017

Year 6 pupils have been away on a week’s residential at the Cranedale Centre in North Yorkshire, learning in the field and enjoying the great outdoors.

For many pupils it was their first experience away from home; however with a warm welcome from the centre staff they soon settled in, full of excitement at everything the week had in store.

The residential course offers a wide range of experiences for the children and every day is action packed. On the first day they arrived in time for lunch and stayed local in the afternoon, enjoying teambuilding activities using the centre’s outdoor facilities.

The subsequent three days were spent in form groups, with each class taking their turn on a variety of trips and activities. A walk at Levisham Moor was an opportunity to observe geographical formations and go stream dipping to explore the aquatic environment and discover the creatures which make it their home.

An important new skill learned was orienteering. After intensive training at the centre with map and compass, the pupils headed to Dalby Forest to navigate themselves and their teachers through the trees, an exercise that built trust and demanded good teamwork. 6T had an extra special visitor when GSAL principal Mrs Woodroofe joined them on their walk!

A highlight of the week for many was the trip to the coast, to explore the area around Flamborough Head. The children saw how erosion transforms a crack in a rock into a cave, arch, stack and stump, and went rock pooling to discover sea creatures and discuss the food chain.

The learning continued into the evenings, with lessons to follow up the day’s activities, further study of flora and fauna under the microscope, writing up eco-diaries and, away from the classroom, the night walk. This is a test of nerve relying on heightened senses to be aware of the nocturnal environment.

It was a memorable week for the pupils, who returned to school tired and happy, having learned important lessons about organisation, independence and working together.

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