Two reception children enjoying a book in the library

PGL RESIDENTIAL TO THE ISLE OF WHITE

Posted: 22nd July 2022

On Friday 8th July under warm, blue skies, this year’s residential departed for PGL Little Canada on the Isle of Wight, with 48 excited Year 3 to 7 pupils. After a gentle ferry crossing, we found ourselves on site. We met Shannon, our group leader for the weekend and the children were eager to explore their cabins and get acquainted with the site.

After a hearty evening meal the children had a campfire as their evening activity, with songs and talents being performed. The children returned to their cabins, ready for a full, action packed Saturday.

As the dawn chorus broke and the sun rose over the creek the cabins overlooked, the children emerged, full of energy and excitement for the day ahead. After breakfast, the children departed in their groups for a host of activities. The morning sessions saw two groups grapple with wetsuits before kayaking in the bay, luckily no one capsized and they all stayed reasonably dry! The other two groups enjoyed the sensory trail, where they had to navigate a course blindfolded, getting a little wet and muddy, then also taking aim on the archery course. The afternoon saw more challenges tackled, where groups ventured off to kayaking, navigated their way around the site with the orienteering course, they then became Robin Hood for the afternoon with archery. After a lovely evening meal, the children popped to the shop, purchasing a range of gifts and sweets! The evening saw them play a game of Capture the Flag, on their return to the cabins, most were soon asleep after a busy day.

On Sunday there were a few tired children, but still full of excitement to get them through the array of activities. The morning saw two groups scaled the heights of the climbing wall, whilst another swung from the giant swing, with screams echoing across the site and another discovered the delights of the sensory trail. During the afternoon children participated in climbing, orienteering and tackled the challenge course, leaping over, through and under different obstacles. After our final shop visit in the evening, where more treats were purchased, it was time for an ambush – a giant hide-and-seek game!

Monday morning saw the staff knocking on doors to wake the children up ready for breakfast and moving out of the cabins. One of the boys cabins was so immaculate that we wondered if they had even slept in there! We managed to pack in a few activities in the morning before our departure, these included survivor, where children made dens and learned how to make fire and applied this to small tin fires. Others worked together to tackle Jacob’s Ladder, some reaching the very top.

The weekend soon come to an end and after a very sleepy journey, staff included we arrived back at school. As the children departed the School, you could hear their excited chatter telling their parents about the fun, adventures and experiences!

Mr Jeacock

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