Privett
Our Year 4 children enjoyed their eagerly awaited residential to the Privett Centre. The centre is the old school house built in the Victorian era so has a number of similar features to our school.
We arrived on Wednesday, completed a quick tour, were allocated beds and then unpacked. The afternoon was spent with Janet from the Sustainability Centre. We explored recycling and were shocked at how long some items took to decompose. We then enjoyed being creative making our tree spirits which we left for the next visitors to find and admire. In teams we created hurdles out of Willow and then ventured indoors to make 'God's Eyes'. Early evening was spent looking at the outside of the centre and the church next door which is a truly remarkable building.
On Thursday we spent an exciting but tiring day at Queen Elizabeth Park. In teams we had to make a den which was both structurally secure and waterproof. Becky our Ranger then tested these by throwing water on them with us inside! We toasted marshmallows and learnt to start a fire using flint and steel. After lunch we ventured up an incredibly steep hill where in parts we were blindfolded being led by Becky. We had to trust in each other to overcome the obstacles. We then searched for bugs and played a game 'Hunt the Tree'. At the end of the day we still had some energy left for a play in the park.
We went on a leisurely stroll around the village on Friday morning looking at all the different styles of houses and also appreciating the wildlife around us. We stopped and created our own 'Emo-Scan'. It was very peaceful. Our trip ended with a visit to the inside of the church which gave us lots of information about the history of the village and the church itself.
During our trip, the children learnt; to Persevere and be prepared, be Resilient, be Independent and ready for inspections, become a Volunteer, be Extremely hard working, they definitely needed to be a great Team member and Tolerant of others and they all exceeded in these challenges.
Why not continue to read about their adventures...
At Privett we had to be persevering especially at the den building. Den building is when you find sticks and make a den. After that we tried to make a fire with flint and steel. It took a really long time. Then we walked up a really big hill and in the woods it was hailing so it was a downpour. When we got back we laid the table and had dinner. It was pasta or macaroni cheese.
Max
I had to be independent when try to fall asleep on my own without settling from Mum. I also had to be independent when choosing my clothes for the day ahead.
Fred
At Privett we were educated by learning about the church and graves and by working out what Privett looked like in 1867. Also we were educated about the schools headmaster who lived right next to the school and there was a big mosaic that looked like a crab falling from the sky facing the church.
Samuel
I was being tolerant at bedtime. Francesca did get a game out that I did not like to play but I put up with it. At lunch there was a biscuit that I did not like but I ate the biscuit anyway. I was respectful to the people in their graves by not standing on them.
Maia
I went to Privett and learned more manners. I learnt to wait for everyone to go to the table, then we ate. I thought this one was fun. I had to set up the table, knives, forks, spoons (for dessert) and cups. I helped the second day with the plates and forks. We had to listen to adults so we knew it was time to eat. It was a fun two days and I loved it!
Francesca
It was extreme den building. We were in the woods getting fern off a dead tree and running about trying to find strong wood. It was extremely good in the night because we got to have a midnight feast. We went into the extremely dark wood. It was extremely fun at Privett.
Archie
At Privett we had an inspection every morning and night. Every inspection was out of ten, you got points for every day. The cleanest would win and it was girls vs boys. We had to clean the toilet. It was sort of fun because it was the decider and everyone was getting excited.
Adam
I have chosen the word 'prepared' because it is an important skill you need to have. For example, when we were at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, den building, me, Mrs Lavender, Archie and Max gathered lots and lots of fern (for roofing) at the beginning because we knew it would be crucial. We were then prepared.
Eryn
I had to be resilient when I was cleaning the toilet for inspection. I was the only person kneeling next to the toilet with a brush cleaning it. The boys toilet was manic. Archie was spraying air freshener everywhere so we ran out of it. It was really funny! I also disinfected rust, cleaned the toilet brim and I cleaned the sink. At the end, our toilet was 9/10. I was very pleased with that.
James
I had to volunteer for lighting a fire using steel sparked onto wood. First we got shown by Becky our QECP ranger. So we tried in the air first, to make a spark. Then we tried lighting wool on a log. I managed the quickest time.
Katie
I had to use teamwork while I was at Privett. Team work is an important skill to have. You use team work for a lot of activities, for example, we needed team work to do den building, weaving willow and getting inspection points. Team work helps you make friends and develop better skills. Therefore, if you don't use team work, you won't go far in life.
Frankie
I have to use team work when I went to Queen Elizabeth Country Park because we had to make water proof dens with fern, leaves and sticks/logs. We also had to use team work when setting the table for breakfast, lunch and dinner. One of the most important parts of team work for the boys was the inspection because we wanted to win, but in the end we drew because of the bathroom decider.
Luis
At Privett I looked at the church. I explored the church.
I ate pasta for my tea and sandwiches for my lunch. I liked the buttery taste.
We went to Queen Elizabeth Country Park on a bus. It was a short journey. We climbed the steep hill. We were tired when we reached the top. We made marshmallows, we toasted them on a stick with fire.
The girls slept in the girls bedroom and the boys slept in the boys bedroom. I made a tree spirit. I put the tree spirit on a fence.
I liked the climbing frames and the packed lunches and going to Queen Elizabeth Country Park.
Ethan
I was resilient because we went up a steep hill and den building. Me, Frankie, Cameron, Adam and Mrs Nicholson built a den. I found loads of moss that was on the side of the hill. I had to go over a fallen down tree and we all worked for one and a half hours.
George
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