On Monday 15th June, 70 Year 8 students and six staff set off for Porthpean Outdoor Education Centre in Cornwall for their Summer Residential. This was a new trip for us and it lived up to all our expectations. Upon arrival, we enjoyed our lunch and were greeted by the centre staff. The children had the chance to do either archery and axe throwing or go on the high ropes course. After dinner, we had a series of team challenges followed by a ventriloquist’s show.

Tuesday dawned grey and cool. Undaunted, we donned wetsuits and set off for an ocean adventure exploring the Cornish coast by kayak and mega SUP. We saw a variety of nesting sea birds and got to paddle into a sea cave and swim at a remote beach. After another swim, we had some lunch, played beach games and went rock pooling. In the evening, Year 8 had a lot of fun at the silent disco and Mr Swires arranged for us to watch the first half of the France v Senegal game.

Our last day we woke to a misty, drizzly day. We packed up before breakfast and the students then had a go at the activities they hadn’t done on Monday. The centre staff said that they had never had a group leave their accommodation so tidy, but this might have been down to Mr Boyce’s ruthless dorm inspections!

The Year 8 students were a real credit to the School, frequently going out of their way to support each other and take responsibility for our group. It was a pleasure to take them to Cornwall.