End of Year Lower School Trips

At the end of the Summer Term the Year 7 and 8 pupils went on their annual residential trips. The Year 7 pupils went to South Devon for an outdoor adventure with Reach Outdoors, and Year 8 went to Jersey for an equally jam-packed schedule of activities.

Mr Batchelor provides a write-up of the Year 7 trip to South Devon.

"Year 7 had the most amazing trip to Devon at the end of the summer term and were able to experience all that this wonderful county has to offer. Upon arriving to Devon, the first activity was straight to the tents to find out our groups and settle in. This was quickly followed up by our first meal at our accommodation site for the week. We were the only visitors so had the run of the Stoke Gabriel Football Club, where the pupils had full access to the clubhouse function room, showers and changing facilities. Dinner each evening was followed by team games run by the brilliant Reach Outdoor reps, Danish longball being a firm favourite with the group. 

Day 1 started with a big breakfast to fuel up before driving an hour deep into Exmoor National Park where we undertook ridge and gorge walking. After, of course, spending 30 minutes learning how to put on a wetsuit.

Day 2 saw us take to the beach for round two of wetsuit challenge. After getting into our water safe attire, we spent the day stand up paddle-boarding and kayaking around Brixham beach. Not forgetting to ask the steam train for a toot every time it passed by. The pupils particularly enjoyed collecting sea glass on a secluded cove midway on our kayak voyage. A couple of jellyfish were spotted too!

Day 3 saw us learning some bush craft, including building fires and shelters from natures’ bounty. The second activity was coasteering, during which group 1 saw a seal up close and personal. 

The mantra for our trip away was Kind, Calm, Courageous. I am so proud of everyone for being kind, showing the upmost respect to our tutors and guides and helping each other; being calm and behaving impeccably the whole trip; and having the courage to try new things, push comfort zones and stretch themselves physically and mentally."

Mr Crisford gives an account of the Year 8 trip to Jersey.

"Year 8 had the most amazing trip to Jersey at the end of the Summer Term and were able to experience all that this wonderful island has to offer. The trip started with an early start on Wednesday morning to catch the flight to Jersey and with all reporting on time the trip was off to a good start! 

Upon arriving to Jersey, the first activity was straight to the beach for some fun games and the annual game of beach cricket. This was quickly followed up by a surf lesson in what was perfect conditions with all boys absolutely loving this activity. Special mention should go to both Milo and Axel Crane who really showed us all how the professional's surf! Having already visited two beaches we moved to our final beach of the afternoon at St Brelade’s where we went on a Mega SUP and enjoyed jumping off the pier! In what was an incredibly busy first day we then went back to the hotel to enjoy our first of the many wonderful buffets and a chance to go on the Wave Ride. Please check photos to see what this is! 

Our second day was just as busy with the group enjoying the land-based activities at Valley Adventure including zip wire, abseiling, climbing, leap of faith, king swing, archery, axe throwing, paint balling and crate challenge. As always this was a fantastic opportunity for all to challenge themselves and develop communication skills and leadership. Without a doubt the highlight of the week was watching the Titans beat the long-standing record for how many crates they could build and climb on to. Not only were the boys satisfied with beating the customer record they pushed all the way to beat the instructors' record of 21 crates! This really is an incredibly impressive record with the instructors stating ‘that it was a privilege to watch the boys achieve this landmark’.

Overall, it was a wonderful trip, and the boys were a real credit to Shiplake, and I hope they enjoyed it as much as all the teachers that attended the trip did."