2015
Friday 27th March 2015
There were some very sleepy children to wake up this morning! A sure sign that everyone had had lots of fun and had tired themselves out (including staff!)
Miss Campbell and I have had a great week with your lovely children. We hope you all have a happy and safe Easter break.
I'm adding a link to the centre webpage where all of the week's photos are uploaded for you to look at and download those that you want to keep.
Mrs Jones
There were some very sleepy children to wake up this morning! A sure sign that everyone had had lots of fun and had tired themselves out (including staff!)
Miss Campbell and I have had a great week with your lovely children. We hope you all have a happy and safe Easter break.
I'm adding a link to the centre webpage where all of the week's photos are uploaded for you to look at and download those that you want to keep.
Mrs Jones
Thursday 26th March 2015
Today marked the final day of activities and the groups set off to encounter two new challenges: gorge walking or mining!
Like true adventurers, the gorge walkers first practised a little bushcraft by foraging for kindling and firewood to toast their spoils (pink and white marshmallows!). With their energy levels restored they traversed the rocky stream bed in fast flowing water until they got to a natural water slide which had eroded over hundreds of years. With no encouragement at all, they slid head first into the icy waters! Quote of the day: "This is epic...but cold"
Meanwhile, somewhere near to Blaenau Ffestiniog, the other group climbed a hill on the inside, through a disused Welsh Slate mine. They learned a lot about the industry and the lives of the miners who toiled hard in difficult conditions to earn a simple wage to provide for their families. It wasn't all history though, kitted out with ropes, helmets and head torches, they made their way up the hard way, by climbing, walking and even paddling a dingy over a flooded mine shaft! It was exhausting work!
Throughout the week the children have been amazing and have learned so much about themselves and each other. They're tired but happy and are all ready to come back for a restful weekend and Easter holiday.
We'd like to thank all of the staff at the Arete centre who've all looked after us so well, particularly our instructors, Paul and Crystal who taught them so much and really got to know the children in a short space of time.
The coach is due to collect us from the centre at 9:30 in the morning and we anticipate being back between 1:30 and 2pm.
The school office will send out a text as we get closer to home tomorrow. We look forward to seeing you then.
Today marked the final day of activities and the groups set off to encounter two new challenges: gorge walking or mining!
Like true adventurers, the gorge walkers first practised a little bushcraft by foraging for kindling and firewood to toast their spoils (pink and white marshmallows!). With their energy levels restored they traversed the rocky stream bed in fast flowing water until they got to a natural water slide which had eroded over hundreds of years. With no encouragement at all, they slid head first into the icy waters! Quote of the day: "This is epic...but cold"
Meanwhile, somewhere near to Blaenau Ffestiniog, the other group climbed a hill on the inside, through a disused Welsh Slate mine. They learned a lot about the industry and the lives of the miners who toiled hard in difficult conditions to earn a simple wage to provide for their families. It wasn't all history though, kitted out with ropes, helmets and head torches, they made their way up the hard way, by climbing, walking and even paddling a dingy over a flooded mine shaft! It was exhausting work!
Throughout the week the children have been amazing and have learned so much about themselves and each other. They're tired but happy and are all ready to come back for a restful weekend and Easter holiday.
We'd like to thank all of the staff at the Arete centre who've all looked after us so well, particularly our instructors, Paul and Crystal who taught them so much and really got to know the children in a short space of time.
The coach is due to collect us from the centre at 9:30 in the morning and we anticipate being back between 1:30 and 2pm.
The school office will send out a text as we get closer to home tomorrow. We look forward to seeing you then.
Wednesday 25th March 2015
We awoke this morning to a beautiful, bright and sunny Welsh spring morning. The lambs and daffodils a sure reminder of Easter and the Spring awakening. The instructors used the opportunity to take the groups rock climbing this morning. For some, it was quite a challenge but all faced their fears and pushed themselves to their physical and emotional limits. Yet again your children proved themselves to be a caring group; gently coaxing and encouraging each other.
After a packed lunch and a flask of hot chocolate, they embarked on a new adventure: canoe rafting on the tranquil Lake Padarn in Llanberis. This was where their competitive streaks took over! Once the paddles were in sync, the races began. The result? Lots of laughter and a few soggy children!
And the fun didn't stop there; after a delicious pasta bake and apple crumble, they took part in a blind walk. All wearing blindfolds (their hoodies on backwards!) they, clung to a rope and each other, then carefully guided themselves around the centre.
They're all tucked up now, hopefully enjoying their rest. They've definitely earned it!
We awoke this morning to a beautiful, bright and sunny Welsh spring morning. The lambs and daffodils a sure reminder of Easter and the Spring awakening. The instructors used the opportunity to take the groups rock climbing this morning. For some, it was quite a challenge but all faced their fears and pushed themselves to their physical and emotional limits. Yet again your children proved themselves to be a caring group; gently coaxing and encouraging each other.
After a packed lunch and a flask of hot chocolate, they embarked on a new adventure: canoe rafting on the tranquil Lake Padarn in Llanberis. This was where their competitive streaks took over! Once the paddles were in sync, the races began. The result? Lots of laughter and a few soggy children!
And the fun didn't stop there; after a delicious pasta bake and apple crumble, they took part in a blind walk. All wearing blindfolds (their hoodies on backwards!) they, clung to a rope and each other, then carefully guided themselves around the centre.
They're all tucked up now, hopefully enjoying their rest. They've definitely earned it!
Tuesday 24th March 2015
After an early wake up (very early in some cases!) the children have enjoyed an action packed and exhausting day out. The two groups headed off in different directions: one towards the coast and the other to the mountains.
The coastal group explored the beach where they created beach art from whatever they could find washed up on the shore. They enjoyed scrambling over rocks and getting thoroughly soaked in pools! Toasting marshmallows over an open fire was also one of the many highlights the day had to offer!
The mountaineers drove to Capel Curig where they embarked on a walk up a hill called Crimpiau. It was a long but exhilarating walk which tested the group's fitness and strength but, with a lot of team spirit and laughter, all made it to the 475m summit where they enjoyed a packed lunch overlooking the stunning views of Llyn Crafnant. "I feel as if we're in a painting!" was the remark of one of our pupils "This is the best seat in the house!" added another; it certainly was breath taking!
They're all tired and ready for a good night's sleep now. We're just hoping that the early risers sleep a little later tomorrow morning so that they are ready for their next adventure.
Photos were taken by the centre leaders and we hope to add a few to the page in the
next couple of days.
After an early wake up (very early in some cases!) the children have enjoyed an action packed and exhausting day out. The two groups headed off in different directions: one towards the coast and the other to the mountains.
The coastal group explored the beach where they created beach art from whatever they could find washed up on the shore. They enjoyed scrambling over rocks and getting thoroughly soaked in pools! Toasting marshmallows over an open fire was also one of the many highlights the day had to offer!
The mountaineers drove to Capel Curig where they embarked on a walk up a hill called Crimpiau. It was a long but exhilarating walk which tested the group's fitness and strength but, with a lot of team spirit and laughter, all made it to the 475m summit where they enjoyed a packed lunch overlooking the stunning views of Llyn Crafnant. "I feel as if we're in a painting!" was the remark of one of our pupils "This is the best seat in the house!" added another; it certainly was breath taking!
They're all tired and ready for a good night's sleep now. We're just hoping that the early risers sleep a little later tomorrow morning so that they are ready for their next adventure.
Photos were taken by the centre leaders and we hope to add a few to the page in the
next couple of days.
Monday 23rd March 2015
After a three hour journey the children were very excited to pull up on the drive of the centre on a bright, sunny afternoon. Since we arrived we've found dormitories, made beds and been allocated kit. The children have eaten a delicious fish and chip supper followed by banoffee pie! (Banoffee pie... on a Monday!!)
After tea and a few chores (yes your children have swept, washed dishes and laid breakfast tables), we headed out into the dark for an exciting night walk. We're all back safely and preparing for bed. Hopefully sleep will come easily. (Fingers and toes crossed!)
We'll try to update the website every evening.
After a three hour journey the children were very excited to pull up on the drive of the centre on a bright, sunny afternoon. Since we arrived we've found dormitories, made beds and been allocated kit. The children have eaten a delicious fish and chip supper followed by banoffee pie! (Banoffee pie... on a Monday!!)
After tea and a few chores (yes your children have swept, washed dishes and laid breakfast tables), we headed out into the dark for an exciting night walk. We're all back safely and preparing for bed. Hopefully sleep will come easily. (Fingers and toes crossed!)
We'll try to update the website every evening.
