By Mrs Cruse (Head of Years 7 and 8)

As part of the transition program into the Senior School, our Year 7 cohort embarked on a journey to Cople Fields to immerse themselves in a day of Bushcraft skills. We began with a scenic walk through the countryside to reach Cople. During this time, they enjoyed chatting with one another, mingling as a year group, and making new friends.

Upon our arrival at Cople, the objectives for the day were outlined. The students were about to embark on a journey to learn essential survival skills, preparing them for various challenges, including how to purify water, light a fire, and construct a shelter. They worked in teams to determine who could purify the cleanest water and build the most secure shelter. Despite the additional challenge posed by the wind, their high spirits remained undiminished. New friendships blossomed, and they were resolute in their determination to succeed as teams.

I eagerly anticipate observing their continued growth and success as they embark on their journey in Senior School.

Isabelle Dobson (Year 7) said: “I really enjoyed the walk on the way to Cople. I got to chat with my friends as we walked through the lovely countryside in the fresh open air. When we arrived, we split into groups as we started our activities. My favourite activity was making tents. It was quite challenging because the wind was blowing quite hard, which could be challenging in a real-life situation.”

Hasfa Jawzy (Year 7) said: “I really enjoyed the three different activities, especially the fire one. The water activity was very cool, learning how to filter water with just a few things. Lastly, the shelter activity was so fun; interacting with a different group of people and it also protected us from the storm! I made some new friends, and even though the walk was very long and tiring, it was still worth it because we had a fun time there.”

Kitty Olds (Year 7) said: "We learned so many survival skills to help us in later life. The shelter building was so fun because we built our own shelter in the wind, and then they tested it with water to see if it was a good or bad shelter. And guess what, my team won. It was a great day to meet new students and teachers.”

View photos here.