Tuesday 

The day began before dawn, with the children stirring in their dorms early in anticipation of the day ahead. Fuelled by toast, cereal, fruit, and a generous scoop of excitement, we gathered in the dining hall. Spirits were high, especially knowing today's itinerary included adventure activities and fierce friendly. 

At the low adventure, children were thrown into challenges, having to look out for their peers, keeping all of their "5 lives". Trust falls, balancing beams, and tunnels beneath logs tested their teamwork and communication. Laughter echoed as muddy hands helped each other across tricky obstacles—and so the trust-building began in earnest.

Another group ascended into the moorlands. Armed with water bottles, snacks, and map-reading skills, they trekked and clambered across the open hills. Climbing Hound Tor Rocks was the highlight for many: atop the rugged rocks, they spotted distant valleys and caught their breaths after conquering each climb. The instructors shared stories of local wildlife and geology, while the children absorbed lessons on respect for nature and the importance of staying together.
The midday wind brought rosy cheeks, and the panoramic views were worth every.

Back at base, bows were strung. Each target had a balloon stuck to it, and the challenge was simple: POP your classmates' balloons before yours popped! The rivalry quickly ignited—cheers erupted, arrows flew, and concentration soared.“King Savi” ruled the leaderboard among the boys, landing precision shots with cool confidence. On the girls’ side, “Queen Izzy” won the game, with her balloon lasting the longest on the target. Much to their disappointment, the expert leaders popped them both in one shot.
At the climbing tower, hearts were racing; children faced their fears as they ascended the wall. Each successful grip and foothold fueled their confidence. At the summit, the view dazzled—but the real test was yet to come: descending via abseil.
With harnesses cinched tight and instructor-safe setup, they leaned backward and inched down the vertical wall—some shrieking in sheer thrill, others steadying themselves with newfound composure. At the base, triumphant cheers and beaming faces declared it a victory for courage.
Down by the pond, the groups switched to water-based teamwork. Armed with barrels, planks, ropes—and a boatload of enthusiasm—they set to assemble rafts. Laughter and shouts filled the air as rafts wobbled, capsized, and then stabilised under persistence and coordination. Once afloat, each crew paddled their craft across the bumping, rippling water—some with perfect harmony, others hilariously out of sync. Either way, the smiles at the finish line crowned the experience a success.
Damp, dusty, and absolutely buzzing from the day’s efforts, the children thoroughly enjoyed a carb-filled pizza dinner, before some evening games.

From low ropes to high leaps, from quiet teamwork to ramping-up competition, every step helped our Year 6 grow in confidence, resilience, and camaraderie.

Please see our facebook and Instagram page for photo updates.

Monday 

After a 6 hour journey filled with singing, games, and even some well-earned naps, we arrived safely at Heatree for the start of our BCS Year 6 residential. The excitement was high as the children sang their hearts out on the coach, making the time fly by. On arrival, we were warmly welcomed by the Heatree staff and given a short briefing before jumping straight into our first activity—an orienteering challenge around the site. The children threw themselves into it with great enthusiasm, quickly getting to know their surroundings. We then enjoyed a delicious evening meal together, followed by a couple of hours of free play in the golden evening sunshine—a perfect start to our adventure!