Day TWO - Time Flies When You Are Having Fun!

 WOW! WOW!! WOW!!!

What a fantastic day! Just when you think our children could not be any more magnificent they go and prove us wrong! If I had a pound for every time a member of Robinwood staff said what a fantastic group of children we have, I would be a millionaire (well nearly!). Genuinely, the amount of compliments we have received for the children’s manners and the respect they have shown to each other and Robinwood staff have made me smile from ear to ear all day!

The day started off with a glowing report from the famous Robinwood Night Ninjas. No problems to report so onto our first activity. Breakfast! With beans, sausages, cereal, toast, fruit and potato waffles (a new favourite) on offer, the children were certainly fuelled for the action packed day that awaited them.

Each group had 3 activities to complete before lunch. Forest had Night Line, Canoeing and Raft Building. Wood group had Climbing, Piranha Pool and Crate Challenge. Hill group had Zip Wire, Archery and Climbing. 

Another of the water based activities the children take part in is Raft Building. The children in Forest Group were first to put their craftsmanship to the test as they had to build a craft worthy enough to cross the Robinwood lake. I am pleased to report the rafts were successful, to the disappointment to some of the children as no one got wet so they were then tasked to show their best swan dive off the jetty into the lake. 

This morning's activities all required certain skills that pushed and challenged children to achieve their set goals. Reports from Mrs Wood and Mr Cook are that the children surpassed expectations in each of their activities. Teamwork skills were strongly evident as children flew through activities and pushed onto more challenging games. I was particularly impressed with the compassion and encouragement shown between the children in Forest group when completing their morning activities. A huge shout out goes to all the children who have conquered their personal challenges/fears be it height or the dark. We talk about being compassionate, having courage, kind, caring and supportive a lot in school and to see these amazing skills so evidently in our children when some of them were suspended high up in the air on the Crate Challenge or crawling on their hands and knees on the night line, it reminds me of what a special school we are part of and what a fantastic group of children our Year 6s are.

Lunch time! A chance to regroup and reenergise. Hot dogs or chicken burgers were on the menu along with a range of fruit and cakes for desert. 

After lunch, the rain made an appearance, but the children didn't let that 'dampen' their spirits as another 3 brilliant activities awaited them. Forest challenged themselves in the Dungeon, Archery and the High Ropes challenge course. Whilst in the dungeon, the children in Forest also had a close encounter with the dungeon master, which wasn't just Mr Elliot with a table cloth over his head! The children managed to solve the clues and make it out. Wood group encountered naughty squirrels (ask your children) on the Night Line followed by canoeing and raft building. Apparently, Mrs Wood's raft building attempts were to be be admired or was that forgotten. You will have to ask her. Hill group were set the challenge to build the highest tower out of crates whilst standing on top of them before heading in to the woods to navigate the night line and then headed to the lake for canoeing.

Teatime! Fish fingers, curry and cookies were on the menu for the children. Just what the children need after an action packed day. But wait…it’s not over, there was another evening of Team Challenge ahead. Even though this was our final activity the children still showed as much enthusiasm and positivity as they had done for the very first activity which was just over 12 hours ago. We could not be any prouder of the children!

Hot chocolate, biscuits and bedtime followed. Tired eyes were plentiful in the room as the eagerly waited phrase 'bedtime' was met with joy as over 12 hours of undeliverable fun had taken its toll on some of the children (and adults!).

On a personal note, I wanted to take the opportunity to say a big THANK YOU! Some think the adults who go on residential are crazy! But your children have been truly amazing. Mr Cook, Mrs Wood and I are so proud of all the children's achievements. They have also been a delight to sit and have breakfast, lunch and dinner with and never once complained. The manners and politeness have been OUTSTANDING!

Anyway, enough of that, we still have another busy morning ahead. Breakfast, 3 more activities and lunch before we start our journey back to Collingham.

Well it's past our bedtime and after 2 days away we need our beauty sleep. Again, thank you for your lovely comments. They all say a big hello and are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow quickly followed by “can we stay a bit longer?’ These are priceless to the children and we love to see the smiles, which go from ear to ear as the children read them.

See you tomorrow,

Mr E, Mrs Wood and Mr Cook.