The 13s spent five days in the rugged hills of the Ardeche region of France between 18th-23rd June on a camping trip with a team of eight teachers led by 13s Head of Year, Miss Dusquesnoy. As well as ‘blowing out the cobwebs’ after the hard work of the exam season, the all-action programme aims to prepare our year 9s for their important transition into their GCSE years.
Among the team-building ‘outward-bound’ activities that the 13s enjoyed over the five days were rock climbing and ‘weaseling’ – essentially scrambling, mountaineering and caving rolled into one – and a high rope and zipwire course in the woods. They also spent two days navigating the Ardèche by kayak, enjoying an overnight bivouac by the river on the way.
According to Miss Duquesnoy, the trip was a huge success. ‘The children were determined to take part in all the activities and were very well behaved. Even the ones who said they were frightened of heights took part in the climbing,’ she says. ‘You could really feel the sense of unity building in the group.’
